After a busy first half of the season, it’s likely your grooming kit or stripping basket are in need of a refresh – this could be true whether your next stop is an area show or you’re prepping for a week at the Royal International.

From emergency saviours to cheap hacks, we asked some top producers what they can’t live without on show days.

Show kit essentials

Hannah Horton: “I wouldn’t contemplate going showing without good old baby wipes – they can be used for anything. We also make sure we have drinks for humans in the stripping basket.”

Emma Burrows: “For me, I need a good mane and tail detangler, coat gloss and a bit of baby oil gel [like this one] to smooth the hair.”

Danielle Heath: “We love Smart Grooming Super Shine; it’s fantastic on faces and gives a mega shine on bodies, too, especially in an evening performance.”

Joe Watson: “This olive oil sheen spray is brilliant on our natives’ manes and tails especially,” he says, “and we use it as a coat gloss and highlighter, too. It’s not very expensive, which is great as we go through tons of the stuff.”

Leon King: “It has to be this Got2b hair gel for plaiting. We always have Leovet’s Power Phaser fly spray and this Cowboy Magic shampoo as well as their Detangler and Shine on tails; it’s incredible – like nothing else I have tried.”

Sara Parrott: “If I had to choose one product that I couldn’t be without it would have to be Supreme Products’ Sparkle Spray for those last minute finishing touches, manes, coats and tails – and even hooves and rider’s boots at a push!”

Sue-Helen Shuttleworth: “On the lorry we always have a good shampoo to quickly wash and dry if horses need it after travelling or working in. Personally I use Equioils Super Soap, Equioils Whitening Wood Flour and towels.

“In the strip basket there’s always a good, clean damp sponge for wiping away saddle marks before the conformation phase, and a good mane and tail brush.

And there’s always full fat Coke and sweets to keep us going.”

Harrison Taylor: “We use glycerine mixed in water for a sponge over, then Arena Products’ Show Shine spray on top. I also use Arena Products’ Clear Highlighter, which contains SPF for eyes and muzzle, black make up, Brylcreem, hair spray and baby wipes.”

Edward Young: “We always have tea, sugar and milk on the lorry. We also have a portable shower to wash any plaiting gel out of the manes and condition them when we unplait; it must be more comfortable for them, and it stops the mane getting too brittle. In my stripping bucket I carry fly spray, Brylcreem as long as it’s not too hot and sunny, hoof-stain, a good brush and a cloth [like this one].”

Simon Reynolds: “Our basket is like Mary Poppins’ bag; we carry everything we could possibly need as there’s nothing worse than having to go back to the lorry if you have forgotten something. But essentials include wet wipes and plaiting bands, plus electrical tape [like this] can be a great save in an emergency. And I’m diabetic so we always have fizzy sweets, too.”

• For unlimited access to the latest product news, buying guides and reviews, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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We’ve rounded up the best plaiting products, including sprays, gels, mousses and waxes, to help you avoid stray hairs and keep your horse’s plaits tidy.

A good plaiting spray will provide the perfect grip to make plaiting a horse’s mane easier without leaving the hair tacky or greasy. Most can be applied to wet or dry hair, and will add volume and shine as well as saving you valuable time.

Best plaiting sprays for horses

A time-saving formula that every horse owner needs, this formulation from Hy leaves a non-greasy finish, while giving extra grip for plaiting, making it an easier job. It can be used with either a damp or dry mane and combs out easily after use.

This easy-to-use mouse ensures a sleek finish that is formulated to hold firm and helps to keep the wisps and strays at bay for perfect show-stopping plaits every time.

What you need in a plaiting kit

Whether you prefer to plait using a needle and thread or use rubber bands for convenience, you need a lot more than that in your plaiting kit to make the process quick and easy.

We recommended the following, but if you’re just starting out you can also buy a complete plaiting kit (like this one) with everything you need:

• waxed plaiting thread
• large flat needles with large eyes
• a small sharp pair of scissors
• pack of strong rubber plaiting bands (like these, which are available in a range of colours)

Once you’ve added plaiting spray or gel, coat shine spray and mane and tail detangler to your grooming kit bag, you’re ready to head to the show.

• For unlimited access to the latest product news, buying guides and reviews, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Grooming bags for horses can be incredibly handy – and you can use them at the yard, when travelling or in the show ring. The best grooming bags for horses will have a good design that offers plenty of space for all the grooming kit, brushes and spray bottles required for a really good groom.

We’ve selected these grooming bags due to their durability, storage and value to help you find the perfect bag to suit your needs and budget.

Best grooming bags for horses

Why it’s worth investing in a grooming bag

Whether you’re reaching for a mane and tail detangler or prepping for a class, a tidy grooming bag makes everything easier. Many riders keep two separate grooming kits: one grooming kit bag for daily yard use and another dedicated to competitions. This helps protect your best tools and keeps your everyday kit clean and clutter-free.

If you prefer a smart, coordinated look, some grooming bags are available in a wide range of colours and are designed to match with wider ranges.

Grooming kits for new owners

If you’re new to horse ownership and don’t yet have a grooming kit, check out our guide to the best grooming kits they are a brilliant place to start. These kits are usually pre-packed with core items like body brushes, mane combs, curry combs and a hoof pick – everything you need to keep your horse clean and comfortable.

As you develop your kit, you might want to add other grooming brushes and essentials, such as sponges, finishing sprays, plaiting equipment or hoof oil – helping you build a setup that suits your routine.

• For unlimited access to the latest product news, buying guides and reviews, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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The best detanglers to keep manes and tails knot-free and looking lustrous

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

The best mane and tail detanglers for horses are an essential part of a grooming kit, especially if your horse is due to visit a show ring. They usually come in spray form, but there are serum products available, too.

Maintaining a knot-free mane and tail not only looks smart, but will help your horse’s hair stay healthy and in good condition, which will reduce breakage and leave fuller-looking locks.

Best mane & tail detanglers: H&H’s quick guide

Best overall detangler: Absorbine ShowSheen

Best detangler for shine: Cavalor Star Shine

Best detangler for long lasting results: Equine America Silky Tail

Best mane and tail detanglers for horses

What is a detangler?

Horse mane and tail detanglers are similar to a conditioner you might use on your own hair – they help to tease out the knots and leave the hair conditioned and feeling fuller.

They are available in spray or serum form and should be easy to apply and formulated to keep the mane and tail hair tangle free for as long as possible. Some detangling sprays can also be used as a coat shine spray – they should not attract dust or leave the hair greasy, but can be used to help to repel dirt.

Does detangling spray really work?

The key benefits of using a detangler spray for your horse are to reduce knots, ease the combing process, adding moisture and enhancing shine. By making your horse’s mane and tail softer and more flexible, it helps prevent knots and minimise hair breakage.

• For unlimited access to the latest product news, buying guides and reviews, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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These quick and easy feather hacks have helped the team at H&H keep their horses spotless over the years

Whether you own a mountain and moorland, a traditional cob or a heavy, like many horse owners you spend a lot of time wondering how to keep your horse’s feather clean. It can seem like an uphill battle, as well as a thankless task. For one thing, you might spend half a day washing your horse’s legs with your best horse shampoo. Then, feather gleaming, you turn him out through a muddy gateway into a boggy field, and all your work is undone. What’s the point?

If this sounds like you, don’t stress. As someone plugged in to the Horse & Hound network, I can bring you the very best advice from the inside. And trust me, these owners, breeders, competitors and producers really know what they’re doing.

So, if you want to know the processes and products to use that will not only get horse feather clean but also keep them that way, read on.

Five steps for clean feather

1. Use purple shampoo on white feather

For that initial feather wash, make sure you opt for a powerful shampoo (like this one on Amazon). As products editor Franchesca Slack told me, purple and blue shampoos are a must for whitening. “They will remove brassy tones in the hair,” she says. “Make sure you use warm water to lift dirt better”.

Our former showing editor Alex Robinson tested the best whitening shampoos on the market and she picked out the Supreme Products Blue Shampoo as her favourite.

While it can be tempting to reach for washing up liquid, it’s not ideal for feather. “It cleans well but it dries the hair out,” says showing editor Bethan Simons.”

2. Don’t forget to condition

“We use hair masks for humans on the feather to keep them well-conditioned,” says Bethan. There are plenty of horse-specific conditioning shampoos on the market too, however, such as the Carr & Day & Martin Gallop, which comes recommended by deputy website editor Georgia Guerin.

3. Treat stains as they come up

Franchesca added that keeping on top of feather staining is important, but you don’t need to spend hours and hours bathing your horse. Instead, use one of the best dry shampoos to spot clean and remove stains from the legs. Fran particularly recommends this one from Absorbine and this one from Supreme Products.

“It’s tricky through the wetter months, but try to keep your horse out of the mud and wet as much as possible,” adds Bethan. “It damages the hair and can stop them having good cover over the hoof.

“Using turnout pens or the school for periods where you can will help,” she adds.

4. Prevent stains setting in

Keeping horse feather clean is much easier when you apply one of the best coat shine sprays or pig/showing oil, such as this oil product on Amazon that Bethan loves. “I get through loads of this!” she says.

It works by making the hair shaft smoother and, therefore, harder for mud to stick.

“In the summer especially, I apply it at night so that it soaks in and doesn’t contribute to any burning during the day,” adds Bethan. She also makes sure to apply to oil to dry legs.

“Through winter, I wash my horse’s legs off at night and oil them before turnout to stop mud sticking.”

5. Add a little touch-up

To achieve brilliant white legs, apply a little chalk – this will neutralise yellow areas and give a brilliant finish.

“It’s best to use a paste [like this one] rather than a powder; they’re easier to apply and I find them less wasteful,” Bethan advises. “Or, take a chalk product like this show preparation powder, mix it with a little water and make a paste yourself.”

How to keep horse feather clean overnight

I spent more than fifteen years keeping white legs and feather clean for shows. Here’s what I learned:

• Stable your horse if possible on a deep, clean bed
• Skip out as late as possible the night before your show to minimise the chance of poo stains
• Bandage your horse’s legs – but ensure the legs themselves are washed, conditioned and dry beforehand. Bandaging damp legs increases risk of skin irritation and other skin problems, but can also cause any missed dirt at the root of the hair to be absorbed by the bandage, compromising the clean feather
• Use clean bandages so there’s no risk of transferring dirt
• If you plan to bandage the legs, avoid using too much oil or coat shine after washing them, as the bandages may slip. However, you can apply it above the bandages at the knees and hocks
• If you can, keep the bandages on while travelling and fit travel boots over the top
• Take a spot-cleaning kit with stain removers and chalk in my grooming bag for touch-ups before my classes

• For unlimited access to advice on how best to care for your horse, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You might also like…

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

The best horse trimmers are ideal for getting to the bits that even the best horse clippers can’t – they’re just what you need for finishing touches and quick tidy ups. Trimmers are all lightweight and easy to hold, which makes them great for manoeuvring into the trickier places. They’re also low noise and low vibration, which is really handy if you have a nervous horse or a horse that doesn’t like to be clipped, but also helps when you’re working around the head and ears.

Most of the best horse trimmers are battery powered, but there is a lot of variation between running and charging times. Some have a battery level or charge indicator, which is a handy feature to have. Most trimmers also offer a variety of cut length options and easy-to-change blades, but this is definitely worth checking before you make your final decision. Typically, the more features the handset has, the higher the price point.

Best trimmers: H&H’s quick guide

Best trimmers for blending: Wahl Admire

Best battery run time: Liveryman Nova

Best light weight trimmers: Clipperman Jewel

Best horse trimmers

It is quiet with low vibration and has a long run time that allows for multiple uses between charging. Comes with a disposable blade, four add-on comb attachments (3, 6, 9 and 12mm), charging lead, brush and oil.

Pocket Sized Trimmers 

If you are looking for a compact, pocket-sized trimmer for trimming awkward areas, especially round your horses head and ears and those fiddly finishing touches to details – or you just want to keep your horse neat and tidy between his clips – I’ve got a couple of ideal tools for the job.

These Liveryman Robin trimmers are a compact, pocket-sized, waterproof trimmer for precision and convenience. Perfect for use at home or shows, they fit comfortably in your hand, making it ideal for trimming delicate or awkward areas such as around the head and ears and even the heels of fine-coated horses. Its quiet operation with low vibrations makes it a reliable choice for nervous horses.

This is the lightest of the two pocket-sized trimmers I’ve featured in this guide. It is designed for precision and ease of use, particularly in hard-to-reach areas such as bridlepaths, above the eyes and under the horses jaw. Its compact, ergonomic design and soft-touch grip offer excellent control, while its small size makes it easy to conceal for nervous horses.

What is the difference between clippers and trimmers?

Horse clippers are powerful tools designed to run for longer periods of time effortlessly and remove the bulk of your horse’s body hair, while trimmers are much lighter and smaller than clippers, and are designed for precision work/tidying up delicate areas, such as the face, ears or jawline.

Trimmers are not designed for prolonged use but can be handy for blending or tidying up your lines for a show-ready finish.

When choosing between the two you need to consider your needs. For full or partial clips opt for a clipper, but for precision and detailed work a trimmer will work best. For nervous horses or if you’re regularly clipping feather, opt for a compact clipper like the Heiniger Opal Horse.

For many horse owners, they find the best combination is to have both a clipper and trimmer. By using both, they compliment each other and make the process more comfortable for both horse and owner.

Can you clip a horse with trimmers?

While some trimmers may be able to cope with tidying up a very fine coat, they are not designed to cope with a full clip and you will be much more successful with a set of clippers. Trimmers are best saved for trickier areas, such as bridle paths, blending around the face or tidying up feathers.

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Choosing from the best horse clippers to suit your needs will make the potentially arduous task of clipping quick and easy – and deliver a smart clip to make your horse the envy of his stablemates. There are so many options and a lot of technical information to sift through when it comes to choosing clippers, which can feel confusing, but in this guide I’ll help you work out exactly what to look for.

We’ve rounded up some of the best models from popular brands, and have loads of advice on how to choose the right clippers for you and your horse. If you’re looking to do smaller areas of tidying, however, check out this selection of the best horse trimmers.

Best horse clippers: H&H’s quick guide

Best mains powered clippers: Liveryman Black Beauty

Best battery powered clippers: Heiniger Xplorer Pro

Best clippers for nervous horses: Liveryman Harmony Plus

Best clippers for the one-horse owner: Lister Star

Best clippers for multiple horses: Masterclip Hunter

Best lightweight clippers: Lister Eclipse 2.0

How to choose the best horse clippers

Clippers are a real investment. When choosing a new handset you should consider…

• the size of your hands – will you be able to hold the handset comfortably for a long period of time?
• the amount of horses you need to clip, their hair type and personality – these will all affect the power you need
• access to power – do you have mains power or will you need a battery-operated handset?
• brand and clipper quality – choose a reputable brand and avoid options where the manufacturer is unclear
• price – battery-operated clippers tend to be the most expensive, and the price generally increases with the power

The main decisions you need to make are whether you need cordless or mains-powered clippers, and whether you would benefit most from light, medium or heavy duty. Not all clippers fit neatly into a category, but these descriptions offer some guidance…

• light-duty clippers – ideal for those with one or two short-haired horses
• medium-duty clippers – more powerful and durable than light-duty clippers, these are useful if you have up to five horses as they can handle feathers and most jobs well
• heavy-duty clippers – the best option if you have lots of horses to clip or have horses with particularly coarse or difficult hair

Mains-powered vs cordless clippers

Owning a set of cordless clippers is definitely convenient. There are no trailing power cables for your horse to potentially tread on, they can be lighter and easier to handle so better for clipping awkward and sensitive areas, plus they are good for remote yards without mains power or with limited power sockets. However, they are limited by their battery life and some need to be coupled with a heavy battery pack that may take a while to charge.

The benefit of mains-powered clippers is that they can run for as long as is needed (subject to short breaks to prevent the blades from getting hot) and don’t need to be recharged. You will have a power cable to contend with, but you’re less likely to be left with a half-clipped horse.

Should I wash my horse before clipping?

Yes, your horse should have a thorough wash before clipping. This helps to ensure maximum comfort for your horse, longevity of your clipper blades and it will also leave a better finish. You could also hot cloth your horse post clip to help remove loose hairs and oil remaining on top of the skin.

How do I maintain my clippers?

To ensure your clippers last well…

• oil regularly every 5–10 minutes with clipper oil
• set the tension correctly following manufacturer advice
• keep the clipper and filter clean
• use the correct blade type for the application

Why won’t my clipper blades cut?

There are a number of reasons why the blades may not be cutting, including…

• they may be blunt and need sharpening
• they may have been incorrectly sharpened
• the clippers may not have been tensioned correctly
• the blades may not have been oiled as frequently as recommended

When is the best time to clip a horse?

You should clip your horse as soon as his growing winter coat starts to get in the way of his work. If he’s sweating more than he was, then it’s time to take it off. You can then keep on top of it throughout the winter – some horses need going over more often than others. There is debate about when you should do your last clip before the spring, but the general, traditional view is that clipping should be avoided after the end of January.

What clip is best for my horse?

There are lots of different types of clip. Your horse’s management, including workload, rug availability, and whether he’s stabled at all will determine the best clip for him.

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£379

Keeping our horses looking – and feeling – their best is important to every horse owner, and using one of the best horse shampoos is a great place to start. Whether your horse is grey or bay, attracted to mud or has sensitive skin, there is a shampoo out there for him. You’ll find brightening and whitening shampoos, specific stain-removing options, gentle shampoos, all-natural options and medicated shampoos – there is a lot to choose from.

Waterless shampoos and stain removers are another option – and are particularly handy for spot stains or when it’s too cold to bath. For best results, combine the best horse shampoos with the best portable hot shower for horses – it really takes the elbow grease out of horse washing.

Best horse shampoos

Absorbine ShowSheen 2-in-1 Shampoo And Conditioner

Sizes: 591ml

Washes per bottle: 12–15

This gentle formula deep cleans and conditions hair in one easy step. It contains pro vitamins to help nourish the skin and strengthen hair without the use of harsh chemicals. It has a targeted application cap and safety lid to prevent any spillages.

Carr & Day & Martin Gallop Conditioning Shampoo

Sizes: 500ml, 1l, 5l

Washes per bottle: 5–10 for 500ml

This shampoo removes dirt, grease and dust from your horse’s coat while adding condition. It’s suitable for regular use and has a low-foaming formula so it is quick and easy to rinse.

NAF Teatree and Mint Shampoo

Sizes: 500ml

Washes per bottle: 25

This shampoo has been formulated with tea tree for its antibacterial properties, so it can soothe the skin as it cleans.

Nettex Everyday Conditioning Shampoo

Sizes: 1l

Washes per bottle: Not available

H&H Rating: 7/10

This low-foam, easy-rinse conditioning shampoo from Nettex leaves a shine without stripping the coat of its natural oils. It’s gentle and mild for daily use.

We tested this Nettex shampoo as part of our independent testing scheme – read the full Nettex Everyday Conditioning Shampoo review.

Hy Equestrian Magic Sparkle 2-in-1 Shampoo And Conditioner

Sizes: 500ml, 5l

Washes per bottle: 25

This two-in-one shampoo and conditioner includes vitamin B5 to help internally strengthen the hair and repair damage, and wheat germ extracts for a smooth finish.

Wahl Dirty Beastie Shampoo

Sizes: 500ml, 5l

Washes per bottle: Not available

This concentrated, easy-rinse, vegan shampoo from Wahl is designed for use on dirty, thick or matted coats, leaving them clean, conditioned and manageable.

Science Supplements Moisturising Shampoo

Sizes: 500ml

Washes per bottle: 20

This shampoo hydrates and strengthens sensitive skin and dry, damaged hair. It is rich in keratin, wheat protein and D-panthenol, which keep the coat, mane and tail glossy and smooth. It can be used as a warm water wash, hot towel wash for a deep clean, cold water wash providing a refreshing cleanse or a concentrated wash for areas requiring specific attention.

Lincoln Silk Shine 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner

Sizes: 500ml, 4l

Washes per bottle: 40

Contains Pro Vitamin B5 as well as effective moisturising and conditioning agents for long-lasting results.

Omega Equine Shampoo Perfect With Lavender Oil

Sizes: 1l

Washes per bottle: At least 10

Combines the calming properties of lavender oil with gentle cleansing agents to leave a lasting, lustrous sheen.

Straight Arrow The Original Mane ’N Tail Shampoo

Sizes: 32oz, 1gal

Washes per bottle: Not available

A great option for sharing – this Straight Arrow shampoo is popular for human hair, too, as it helps to achieve and maintain fuller, stronger, longer and healthier-looking hair.

Supreme Products Conditioning Shampoo

Sizes: 500ml

Washes per bottle: Not available

This shampoo can be used on all colours and types of coat, leaving it shiny and in good condition.

Horse Health Brite White Shampoo

Sizes: 500ml, 1l or 4l

Washes per bottle: Not available

This shampoo can be used neat or stains or diluted as shampoo; it leaves the coat soft, shiny and white. Perfect for greys, coloureds and white markings.

WildWash Equine Ultra Shine Shampoo

Sizes: 300ml, 1l, 5l

Washes per bottle: 10

This shampoo uses the combined natural powers of star flower, myrrh and rosemary to soothe and condition the skin and coat, intensify the natural coat colour and leave a shine. It’s ideal for chestnut, bay and black coats.

See Change Original Horse Shampoo Bar

Sizes: 230g

Washes per bar: Not available

This super-mild solid shampoo from See Change is enriched with argan oil and scented with pure lemon grass and tea tree oils. It comes in bar form, is 100% biodegradable and vegan.

Cowboy Magic Shine In Yellowout

Sizes: 16oz, 32oz

Washes per bottle: Not available

This stain-removing shampoo neutralises yellow stains and brightens hair of all colours. It doesn’t contain any bleaches or peroxides but instead uses optical brighteners.

Equine America Pink My Pony Shampoo

Sizes: 1l

Washes per bottle: Not available

A balanced formula that removes dust, dirt and excess grease to leave the coat glossy. It contains aloe vera and vegetable proteins to strengthen the coat, plus argan oil for a shiny finish.

Leovet Silkcare Shampoo

Sizes: 500ml

Washes per bottle: 12–14

This shampoo contains silk proteins that bind with the skin and hair to support the natural structure and repel dirt and dust, while herbal substances and vitamins leave the coat looking shiny.

Smart Grooming Bubblegum Shampoo

Sizes: 250ml, 500ml, 1l, 5l

Washes per bottle: not available

This shampoo is a luxurious conditioning shampoo with a nostalgic bubblegum fragrance. It can be diluted or used neat, and is suitable for all colours, giving a soft, high-shine finish.

Barrier Kiwi & Lime Conditioning Shampoo

Sizes: 500ml, 1l and 5l

Washes per bottle: 20 for 500ml

Rich, lathering formula made from 100% plant-derived ingredients that leaves the coat conditioned and cleansed, and is suitable for dogs, too.

How to get the most out of the best horse shampoos

The first thing to remember is that even the best horse shampoos might not agree with your horse. Always make sure you conduct a 24-hour patch test before giving your horse a full bath with your chosen product. If your horse needs a gentler option, check out our guide to the best horse shampoos for sensitive skin.

Next, always read the label to make sure you’re using your chosen horse shampoo in an appropriate manner. Pay attention, for example, to the dilution instructions, or apply the formula neat to more stubborn stains if appropriate.

Finally, while less isn’t always more when it comes to applying the best horse shampoos (especially if the formula is high-lather), it might be the case when it comes to value for money. Consider the cost of a larger container – buying in bulk cuts the cost per 100ml – and you might be able to split this with friends on your yard.

Is horse shampoo good for human hair?

Many horse shampoos contain ingredients that are used in products for human hair, such as keratin, vitamin B-5 or oils such as avocado. These ingredients have beneficial properties, such as helping smooth the hair cuticle and aiding in moisture retention.

There are some horse shampoos that have gained cult status in the beauty world. Some people swear by blue and purple whitening horse shampoos, while Mane ’N Tail by Straight Arrow has a huge pool of users who apply it to their own hair, rather than a horse’s. They have reported benefits such as promoting hair growth, shininess and remedying split ends.

While shampoos such as Mane ‘N Tail are intended for use on horses, there’s nothing stopping you trying it for yourself. However, it is important to remember to…

• patch test the product first to help manage any potential reaction
• monitor the condition of your hair and scalp for any adverse effects
• consult a dermatologist or haircare professional if you have a particular issue you are trying to remedy and ask for their recommendations first

You might also like:

19 shampoos that will get your horse whiter than white

11 gentle shampoos and washes for horses with sensitive skin

14 medicated shampoos and washes to soothe the skin and clean the coat

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Perfect for a quick, refreshing wash after exercise or when the weather is hot, the best no-rinse washes for horses are an ideal solution if you’re not planning a full bath. A post-ride wash will help eliminate sweat and grime from your horse’s coat, and some formulations even assist with tired muscles or deterring flies.

There’s nothing I enjoy more than giving my horses a refreshing wash down to help keep them cool after a long ride, especially when the products offer added benefits. I’ve put together a selection of no-rinse washes, each with unique advantages, to help you find the perfect match for your needs.

Best no-rinse washes for horses

Hy Equestrian Magic Refresh Eucalyptus Wash

Sizes: 500ml

Refreshing wash gently soothes your horse’s skin and muscles post exercise, promoting wellbeing and recovery. The formula cleanses the coat leaving your horse looking and feeling fresh.

NAF Cooling Wash

Sizes: 500ml, 5l

Formulated to cool, relax and refresh tired muscles and remove the build-up of sweat. Ideal for a refreshing cleanse after exercise or a quick cool down due to the heat.

We keep a bottle of this on the lorry to have to hand when we wash down the horses. It’s super handy when we have limited access to water – it’s great for removing sweat, the horse’s coats look clean and refreshed after use and it leaves a nice smell, too.

Supreme Products Tropical Treat Lavender Wash

Sizes: 500ml

Fragranced with lavender, Carribbean berry and melon, this wash is perfect for use after exercise or on a hot day as it releases calming aromas and promotes general all-round health.

Lincoln Summer Citronella Wash

Sizes: 500ml

This cooling and rejuvenating wash contains citronella to deter flies and peppermint to help cool your horse’s skin to aid the rapid recovery of tired muscles.

Cavalor CoolSens

Sizes: 500ml, 2l

A concentrated liniment that is refreshing and cooling to help relax your horse’s muscles after exercise and support recovery. With added menthol, eucalyptus and tea tree oil.

Equine America Fungatrol No Rinse Body Wash

Sizes: 500ml

A non-irritant, no-rinse wash with powerful plant-based ingredients. Can also be used during the winter months if your horse has dry and flaky skin.

Carr & Day & Martin Lavender Liniment

Sizes: 500ml

Dual purpose liniment, containing menthol, witch hazel, rosemary and lavender, with both heating and cooling effects. It can be used neat as a rub, diluted in hot water for a warm soothing wash or diluted in cold water for a refreshing rinse to cut through grease and sweat.

LeMieux Medi Slosh

Sizes: 500ml, 1l, 2.5l

A medicated antiseptic, antibacterial and anti-fungal wash that deep cleans your horse’s coat. Ideal for scurfy and itchy skin, it can be used daily or when skin irritations occur. Can be used neat or diluted to leave a high shine and a lovely smell.

Barrier Citrus Wash

Sizes: 500ml, 1l, 5l

A light and uplifting wash with a zesty fly-repelling fragrance. It uses citronella oil, chamomile and organic aloe vera to help freshen, deodorise and clean your horse’s coat.

Smart Grooming Peppermint Splosh Wash

Sizes: 500ml, 1l, 5l

A blend of witch hazel and peppermint oil provides a deep cleansing and refreshing wash to cool, cleanse and effectively remove sweat, dirt and grease from your horse’s coat.

Pro-Equine Coolwash

Sizes: 1l, 5l

A soothing but refreshing blend of peppermint, tea tree and aloe vera. For use after exercise to help remove sweat and grease, and refreshes and cools your horse’s body and muscles. Can also be used before clipping with warm water.

Nettex Citronella No-Rinse Wash

Sizes: 250ml, 500ml

Used to enhance coat condition with a zesty summer fragrance. Great for use after exercise or on a hit day to refresh and restore your horse’s coat.

I like to use this wash in the summer – I found a little goes a long way and the pleasant citronella sent lasts for a while. When topped up with one of the best fly sprays it adds a bit more protection from those pesky flies.

Mastacare Lavender Wash

Sizes: 500ml, 2l

This wash is for deep cleaning and muscle relaxation with lavender essential oils. It’s perfect for lifting sweat and dirt out of your horse’s coat and has a lovely lavender aroma.

Absorbine CoolDown

Sizes: 950ml

This all-natural, herbal bodywash is made with 12 herbs and essential oils to gently cool and refresh tired muscles. It also conditions the skin and coat without stripping out essential oils, which makes it ideal for regular use.

EqWax Super Concentrated Itch Away No-Rinse Wash

Sizes: 250ml, 2.5l

This soothing no-rinse wash is made with natural plant oils that are traditionally used to support skin comfort during midge season. Perfect for itchy horses.

Why use a no-rinse wash

You can enhance your horse’s wash-down routine with a no-rinse wash. These washes offer a quick and easy way to provide extra care, and are also a great option if your horse dislikes the hosepipe.

With a variety of no-rinse washes for horses available, you can choose the best one to suit your horse’s needs. Popular options include muscle-relaxing lavender, refreshing peppermint, zesty citronella, or cooling and medicated formulas.

How to use a no-rinse wash

Simply dilute a measure in a bucket of water and sponge it over your horse’s body. Some washes can be used neat – just check the manufacturer’s instructions. No rinsing is needed; leave your horse to dry naturally without scraping off the excess liquid.

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

The best medicated horse shampoos and washes usually have antibacterial and/or antifungal properties. They can be used to relieve itching and help to prevent reoccurrence of inflammation and infection. They are often contain many natural ingredients, of which tea tree is particularly popular thanks to its antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties.

If your horse is particularly sensitive, it would be worth considering one of the best horse shampoos for sensitive skin.

Best medicated horse shampoos for itchy skin

Cavalor Derma Wash

Sizes: 500ml, 2l

Washes per bottle: 15–20 for 500ml

RRP: £18 for 500ml

A medicated and pH-balanced shampoo containing Chlorhexidine for improved skin hygiene and a healthy coat. May also be used as a detergent in the washing machine or on tack to prevent cross infection. Perfect before clipping or for horses with flaky skin and dull coats.

Aqueos Anti-Bacterial Horse Shampoo

Sizes: 1l, 5l

Washes per bottle: unavailable

RRP: £14.50 for 1l

This gentle, alcohol and phenol-free shampoo is ideal for daily use and various skin conditions in horses. It soothes irritations, fungal issues, itchy skin, and fly irritation in the summer, while also helping with winter skin challenges. For best results, leave on for two minutes before rinsing.

I use this shampoo regularly on my sensitive mare as she has itchy skin in the summer months.

NAF Naturalintx Teatree Oil Shampoo

Sizes: 500ml, 1l, 5l

Washes per bottle: 25 from 500ml

RRP: £12.99 for 500ml

Care for your horse’s coat with this natural yet effective cleansing formula that is ideal for frequent use. It contains teatree oil to help maintain a clean and healthy coat, and is trusted for its ability to cleanse the coat without stripping the natural oils.

Shapley’s Medi-Care Medicated Shampoo

Sizes: 8oz, 32oz, 1gal

RRP: £11.50 for 8oz

This shampoo is gentle enough for daily use to help maintain healthy skin. The blend of tea tree and lemongrass oils in this Shapley’s formula creates a natural antibacterial, antifungal shampoo.

Carr & Day & Martin Gallop Medicated Shampoo

Sizes: 500ml

Washes per bottle: 5–10

RRP: £13.70

This medicated shampoo deeply cleanses and conditions, soothes irritated skin, and softens hair. The pH-neutral formula contains natural oils to lift scabs and dandruff, leaving a shiny coat. Ideal for dry, flaky, itchy, or sensitive skin.

Dermoline Medicated Shampoo

Sizes: 500ml, 5l

Washes per bottle: Unavailable

RRP: £10.50 for 500ml

This antibacterial shampoo contains an added conditioner that helps to prevent skin flaking and scurf.

Equine America Fungatrol No Rinse Body Wash

Sizes: 500ml

Washes per bottle: 10

RRP: £16.99

Fungatrol No Rinse Body wash is a non-irritant no-rinse wash, made with powerful plant-based ingredients. It’s ideal for use during the winter months if your horse has dry or flaky skin.

Hy Equestrian Magic Tingle Tea Tree Shampoo

Sizes: 500ml, 5l

Washes per bottle: 25 from 500ml

RRP: £10.99 for 500ml

This antibacterial shampoo contains a fusion of natural tea tree oil, peppermint extracts and avocado oil. It is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, and the gentle yet effective cleaning action will ensure optimum coat and skin condition.

Barrier Anti-Itch Soothing Shampoo

Sizes: 500ml, 1l, 5l

Washes per bottle: 10 – 15 from 500ml

RRP: From £13.75 for 500ml

This lathering, rich but gentle anti-bacterial shampoo with a conditioning effect is formulated for year-round use. It contains tea tree, aloe vera, chamomile and lavender, which soothe bitten or inflamed areas. Suitable for regular use to help eliminate scurfy skin and maintain a healthy coat.

WildWash Equine Natural Medicated Horse Shampoo

Sizes: 300ml, 1l, 5l

Washes per bottle: 10 from 300ml

RRP: £14.95 for 300ml

This natural medicated equine shampoo contains juniper, manuka, and lemongrass to help reduce bite pain and swelling, soothe muscles, balance skin moisture to prevent dryness, and encourage hair growth.

Leovet Tea Tree Body Wash

Sizes: 500ml

Washes per bottle: 10–14

RRP: £10.95

The tea tree oil in this shampoo nourishes the coat, skin, and hair, and relieves itching. It also has a sebum-regulating effect and protects from blocked pores especially in the saddle area, and provides shine. The long-lasting fragrance doubles as a fly repellent.

Wahl Tea Tree Shampoo

Sizes: 500ml, 5l

Washes per bottle: Unavailable

RRP: £9.99 for 500ml

Designed to gently comfort the skin as it cleans, this tea tree shampoo gently removes dirt, grease, and odours. The formula is designed to soothe and cool.

Smart Grooming Peppermint Shampoo

Sizes: 250ml, 500ml, 1l, 5l

Washes per bottle: 25 from 250ml

RRP: £7.95 for 250ml

This deep-cleansing shampoo contains added peppermint oils, which cut through the grease and dirt to promote healthy skin and a hydrated coat. It can be used neat or diluted.

Lincoln Medicated Shampoo

Sizes: 500ml, 4l

Washes per bottle: unavailable

RRP: £10.50 for 500ml

This shampoo works deep into your horse’s coat and effectively removes dirt, skin debris and grease and leaves the skin and coat healthy, refreshed and revitalised. Its powerful cleaning formula is ideal for itchy, irritated skin.

How to apply medicated horse shampoo

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully; some medicated horse shampoos are applied directly to the horse’s coat, while others must be diluted first. Begin with a wet coat. Work the shampoo into the coat using a brush, sponge, or hand to create a good lather. Certain medicated shampoos require a specific contact time before rinsing to effectively cleanse the horse’s skin. Rinse thoroughly afterwards.

To help prevent wastage and ensure even coverage explore this selection of tools designed to help you lather shampoo effectively to get the best results.

Do I need a medicated shampoo for my horse?

Medicated horse shampoos can help to address skin issues like dryness and itchiness. Antifungal shampoos, with gentle formulas, are effective for common problems, soothing skin and restoring natural immunity. This leads to a soft, smooth coat without excess oil. If you want to further support your horse’s skin and coat health, you may want to consider the best skin and coat supplements for horses.

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

The best horse shampoo for sensitive skin are often made with natural ingredients and include calming elements, such as lavender or aloe vera. For horses with sensitive skin and those prone to reactions from even the best horse shampoos, these gentle shampoos can make all the difference for horses with sensitive skin.

If you’re looking to improve coat quality, alongside bathing your horse you might want to consider adding a skin and coat supplement into your horse’s diet. But for now, we’ve rounded up a selection of the best horse shampoo and washes suitable for horse’s with sensitive skin.

Best horse shampoo and washes for sensitive skin

NAF Love the Skin He’s In Skin Wash

Sizes: 1l, 2l

Washes per bottle: 25 from 1l

RRP: £26.99 for 1l

H&H Rating: 10/10

This natural skin wash is a gentle unique blend of herbal ingredients, including teatree oil, and is designed to help support damaged or challenged skin affected by lumps, bumps, rashes or mild irritations. It can be used as a hot towel wash, as a cold wash or applied directly to the skin in a concentrated form to address specific areas requiring attention.

This skin wash was part of a group test carried out by Horse & Hound. It was thoroughly tested by busy yard owner and hunting enthusiast Harriet Rimmer. This NAF wash scored 10/10 in our independent testing scheme – read the full review.

Hy Equestrian Lavender Body Wash

Sizes: 500ml

Washes per bottle: 25

RRP: £10.99

This gentle lavender wash is ideal for using following exercise to help cool, calm and aid rapid recovery. It doesn’t need rinsing off and contains no hidden detergents or soaps.

Science Supplements Aloe Vera Shampoo

Sizes: 500ml

Washes per bottle: 20

RRP: £11.99

This shampoo is designed to provide optimal moisture balance and support a healthy, shiny coat. It is suitable for horses with sensitive skin, dry and damaged hair and has a calming effect on sensitive skin. Active ingredients include aloe vera, D-panthenol and wheat protein, which provide optimal moisture balance for coat quality.

It can be used as a warm water wash, hot towel wash for a deep clean, cold water wash for a refreshing cleanse or a concentrated wash for areas requiring specific attention.

WildWash Equine Gentle Natural Horse Shampoo

Sizes: 300ml, 1l, 5l

Washes per bottle: 10 from 300ml

RRP: £14.95 for 300ml

This shampoo is designed for horses with sensitive skin and foals. It contains no essential oils, and the aloe vera, marshmallow root and evening primrose oil have been carefully chosen to help soothe and revitalise the skin and coat while hydrating and maintaining the moisture balance.

Pro-Equine Peppermint Shampoo

Sizes: 250ml, 1l, 5l

Washes per bottle: 10–12 from 250ml

RRP: £7.50 for 250ml

Pro-Equine Peppermint Natural Shampoo is a 100% natural and biodegradable formula ideal for horses with sensitive skin. This concentrated blend of plant oils and extracts softens, conditions, and promotes a healthy shine.

Leovet 5-Star Biotin Body Wash

Sizes: 500ml

Washes per bottle: 10–14

RRP: £11.26

This silicone-free body wash contains biotin, which forms the protein keratin – this is the basic substance in hair growth so in turn strengthens the hair structure and hair roots. This fast-cleaning and refreshing wash leaves skin healthy and hair full of volume and shine.

Equine America Squeaky Clean Sensitive Skin Citrus Shampoo

Sizes: 1l

Washes per bottle: Unavailable

RRP: £16.99

This gentle and effective shampoo, specially formulated with naturally derived ingredients, cleanses the horse’s coat, leaving it feeling clean and fresh. Its mild formula is kind to the skin. It contains aloe vera and pro-vitamin B that adds moisture back into the skin and coat, and is paraben and sulphate free.

Carr & Day & Martin Medicated Shampoo

Sizes: 500ml

Washes per bottle: 10

RRP: £13.70

This high-specification formula is ideal for soothing and calming dry, flaky, itchy, scurfy, sore, damaged, and sensitive skin. Its pH-neutral formula contains natural oils that help soften and lift scabs and dandruff. It also provides exceptional conditioning, resulting in noticeably softer hair and a shiny coat.

Smart Grooming Lavender Shampoo

Sizes: 250ml, 500ml, 1l, 5l

Washes per bottle: 8–10 from 500ml

RRP: £7.95 for 250ml

This shampoo contains essential lavender oil, which helps to gently soothe, moisturise and condition sensitive skin, while removing dirt or grease, leaving the coat healthy, shiny and smelling great.

Wahl Aloe Soothe Shampoo

Sizes: 500ml, 5l

Washes per bottle: Unavailable

RRP: £9.99 for 500ml

Formulated to be extremely gentle on a horse’s coat, this shampoo gently removes dirt, grease, stains, and odours. The formula includes aloe vera gel, which is ideal for sensitive skin.

Barrier Lavender Wash

Sizes: 500ml, 1l, 5l

Washes per bottle: 20 from 500ml

RRP: From £9.75 for 500ml

This no-rinse body wash with lavender and coconut cleanses, conditions, and soothes skin, removing sweat and dirt. Its lavender fragrance relaxes horses, making it ideal for pre/post-exercise, competition, and clipping.

Best way to apply horse shampoo

Need assistance with applying shampoo to your horse? Explore this selection of tools designed to help you lather shampoo effectively, minimise waste, and ensure even coverage.

Can I use human shampoo on my horse?

Using an equine-specific shampoo is recommended for horses because their skin has a different pH balance to humans. These shampoos are formulated to match the pH of horse skin, which reduces the risk of irritation and preserves essential oils. Therefore, it’s best to avoid using shampoos designed for humans or other animals on your horse.

Do I need to patch test before using a new shampoo on my horse?

Before using any new shampoo, its always a good idea to carry out a patch test on a small area of your horse’s skin to ensure it doesn’t cause any adverse reactions.

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

The best stain removers and dry shampoos for horses will help you keep your horse sparkling clean and remove stable stains all year round – even when it’s too cold to bath with even the best horse shampoo! Stain removers work in a similar way to dry shampoo you might put in your own hair.

Dry shampoos and stain removers are really handy on show days for last-minute touch ups, too, especially when it’s too late to whip out one of the best whitening shampoos. Some of the best dry shampoos for horses are formulated to have the same effect as giving your horse a bath, while others are ideal for targeting small but stubborn stains – all you need to do is apply the product, work it in and wait for the stain to lift.

Best stain removers and dry shampoos for horses

How to keep a grey horse clean

The simple answer is to keep on top of stable stains. Regular spot washing with a stain remover will prevent them from getting too deep into your horse’s coat.

Look out for stain removers with whitening and brightening agents as they help to bring the whitest colour out of your horse’s coat to make whites even brighter.

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Clipping – and particularly the timing of the final clip of the season – is a subject which always generates a healthy debate. H&H asked grooms, producers and owners when – or if – the clippers get put away for the season

Anyone who has ever watched nervously for the first signs of hairiness in the final weeks approaching Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) will know that, by mid-September, most horses are beginning to grow their winter coat. Clipping means horses can stay in work comfortably in the colder months without sweating excessively, but the question of when to do the final clip is an age-old debate.

For traditionalists, clipping after the end of January risks damaging the summer coat and is a definite no no. Groom Emma Mason sends her clippers off for servicing in early February, having done her final clip of the year in late January.

“Anything later than that and you risk having horses looking like skinned rabbits going into early summer. We manage their coats using a combination of appropriate rugs, regular grooming and hot clothing to stimulate the skin, and feeding a top quality balancer plus linseed oil.”

Coat growth in horses is controlled by a response to changes in daylight hours. As daylight hours shorten in late summer, melatonin production increases to stimulate the winter coat growth; similarly, as days lengthen in January and February, the horse’s hair follicles are already preparing a summer coat.

Hayley Reynolds specialises in native ponies, as well as being a panel judge and has also been a brand ambassador for Lister Clipping. She has perfected the art of using Covercote blades, which leave 5mm of coat instead of the much shorter 2.5mm of normal blades, and give a less ‘clipped’ look.

“Knowing the horse or pony you are clipping is essential – I do a lot of native ponies, and there’s no doubt the grey Welsh section A ponies need a much earlier final clip than something like a black Fell. If you’re not careful, a grey sec A clipped on New Year’s Day can still look clipped in early May, and certainly with something like a double-coated Exmoor I wouldn’t want to go later than 1 January to avoid affecting the colour of the summer coat,” says Hayley, whose final clip date is usually Valentine’s Day.

She also advises understanding how much time to leave after clipping to achieve show-ring ready coats, with anything from 10 days to three weeks needed post-clip to lose the tiny lines left by the clipper blades. The rise in popularity of Covercote blades has led to many competitors choosing to refine their horses’ coats this way year round.

Joanne Dewhurst has a heavyweight show cob and uses the blades to keep a fine, summer-type coat, as does Kimberley Maw for her native show cob.

“I clip ‘Kiwi’ all year round, probably at four to six week intervals depending on what shows he is doing. I make sure there’s always at least a week’s growth after a clip and take time to blend his legs at the knee and hock to make his coat look as natural as possible,” says Kimberley.

Producer Melanie Booth is another who is happy to clip at any time of year if the horse in question needs it.

“I don’t think it ruins their summer coat – I’ve clipped as late as March and the summer coat that came through was fab.”

Ele Milwright agrees that ruining the summer coat with late clipping is a myth.

“When I was showing my cob, we would clip right up to March or even April and still got great feedback from judges from spring shows onwards. However, you do need to be careful of old clip lines, for example if you’ve done a trace or blanket clip at some point, and these need removing in good time.”

In the end, it comes down to personal choice and knowing each horse, says producer Andrew Collins.

“I’m working to [show date] time scales, so always work on the basis of ‘it’s not what you clip off, it’s what you leave on’!”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Preparing your show horse for the ring isn’t simply a case of getting it ready the night before. Like your fitness and training, the overall appearance is integral to the finished product, especially in this discipline. A polished look is just as important as ensuring your horse is fit and ready to compete. First impressions count, and attention to detail can set you apart in the judges’ eyes.

Proper preparation starts well before the season begins and requires careful planning and consistent care. From clipping and grooming to gear inspections, a thorough approach will help ensure you’re ready to shine when show day arrives.

Preparing your show horse for the ring

When to clip

When preparing your horse during colder months, clipping is essential to not only maintain a tidy appearance, but to ensure the horse can work in comfort without a thick winter coat causing excessive sweat and a risk of catching a chill while drying off afterwards. However, timing and technique are crucial to achieving optimal results.

There is often debate about the practice of clipping after January, as some believe it compromises the summer coat, but most recommend you focus on the welfare and workload of the horse.

Producer James Knipe advises: “Never clip the little ponies too soon; they can become sharp. The priority is to have a happy, confident child. Waiting until the better weather makes it much easier.”

Vicky Smith, an experienced horse producer, starts with a bib clip: “For the initial back-to-work programme of hacking, a simple bib clip is adequate. Then, choose the type of clip to match the workload and the individual animal.”

Producer Emma Holder emphasises the impact of changeable winter weather: “The old rule of never clipping after January is outdated. The weather varies so much now, so we wait until the winter coat starts to break.”

Show producer Sara Parrot agrees: “We rug and groom the ponies as they come in from the field, but we only clip once the winter coat starts to moult. Within a week, we have a summer coat.”

Maintaining a clipped coat is equally important. Scottish-based show producer Kirstine Douglas highlights the significance of skin health: “A healthy coat comes from healthy skin. Feeding oils in the diet helps, but it’s also vital to keep the skin clean and conditioned. Using hot oil or hot washes to remove impurities keeps the skin supple and gives the best summer coat, regardless of clipping timing.”

Kirstine recommends a good hot cloth or wash after work to clean and condition the coat. Hot clothing with water as warm as you can handle, combined with baby oil or coat cleansers, leaves the coat looking and feeling its best.

Manes and tails

A well-groomed mane and tail enhance your horse’s overall presentation when preparing a show horse for the ring. Timing is everything when it comes to pulling or trimming, as well as knowing how to pull or tidy a horse’s mane. Planning these tasks to match your show dates allows for natural regrowth and avoids an uneven appearance.

Experienced producer and judge Stuart Hollings explains: “Trimming is an art. When done correctly, it can enhance an animal’s overall appearance. Always work in stages. Watching how the horse moves and holds its tail can help you trim to showcase its best features. Keeping a tail too long may draw attention to conformation faults rather than hiding them.”

Maintaining cleanliness is crucial.

“I’d never work with a dirty mane or tail,” says Kirstine Douglas. “A good scrub is essential before trimming or tidying after the winter holiday.”

Kirstine also advises scissor-cutting thin manes and cutting tails to hock length before winter turnout to prevent breakage.

There’s also a shift away from traditional tail-pulling practices. Sara Parrot explains: “Craig never pulls tails. From a welfare and safety perspective, we use razors and rakes to achieve a neat, polished look without pulling.”

Regular maintenance – trimming and conditioning – prevents breakage and rubbing.

Finally, grease build-up on rugs can cause rubs. Washing hoods regularly or avoiding them entirely can protect manes.

“I prefer an extra rug rather than a hood to safeguard manes,” Kirstine adds.

Whiskers and ears

Trimming whiskers and the insides of ears has become a significant welfare consideration in recent years, with many shows implementing rules against these practices, in line with a ban in horseracing, and the FEI disciplines. The Great Yorkshire Show, for example, prohibits competitors with trimmed whiskers, reflecting a broader move towards prioritising equine welfare.

At present, only the National Pony Society has banned the trimming of whiskers for all breeds. Other societies may not penalise competitors for trimming these areas, but it’s important to check the rules of your governing showing society to ensure compliance with their rules.

Sara Parrot shares her approach: “We’ve left whiskers on for the past few years. They naturally wear down, and letting them grow avoids the thick, stubbly look that trimming creates.”

Rider preparation

Preparing your show horse with a polished appearance for the ring isn’t the end of the story; rider preparation plays a significant role. Fitness, nutrition, and conditioning ensure you’re ready to perform at your best.

Fitness coach and accomplished equestrian Katie Parry-Evans, of Gympony, offers key tips for riders:

• Set goals and stay accountable: work with an equestrian fitness coach to set short, medium, and long-term goals. Regular check-ins and tailored plans help you stay on track.
• Fuel your body: just like your horse, proper nutrition is essential. A diet rich in protein supports muscle repair, while hydration aids overall performance.
• Consistency and recovery: fitness progress takes time, so stick to your plan and allow your body time to recover with rest days and adequate sleep.
• Tailored exercises: incorporate core work for stability, unilateral exercises for balance, and mobility exercises to improve flexibility. Cardio activities like running or cycling enhance cardiovascular fitness and endurance. Katie says, “Core work promotes stability and allows you to feel more secure in the saddle. Core-strengthening exercises such as planks, dead bugs, and renegade rows are super for improving this area.”

Katie provides excellent advice: “We spend lots of time thinking about horse fitness, but rider fitness is equally important. Riding requires good cardiovascular fitness, core strength, stability, leg strength, and mobility. Incorporating transferable exercises into your gym routine will help you excel in the saddle and benefit your horse’s way of going.”

Preparation checklist

Early preparation ensures you’re not scrambling at the last minute or facing unexpected expenses. Use this checklist to stay organised:

• Tack: inspect for wear and tear, ensure proper fit, and clean thoroughly
• Rider gear: check show jackets, jodhpurs, and boots for fit and condition
• Horse gear: ensure rugs, grooming tools, and boots are clean and in working order
• Extras: stock up on grooming products, first-aid supplies, spare reins, and other essentials
• Transport: double-check trailer or lorry condition, including brakes and lights

By starting your preparations early, you can avoid the stress of last-minute purchases and focus on the excitement of the season ahead.

A polished appearance reflects the hard work and dedication you’ve put into your horse and your partnership. By paying attention to details such as clipping, grooming, rider fitness, and gear preparation, you set yourself up for success in the show ring. The effort you put in now will pay off when you step into the spotlight.

Thank you for subscribing to the H&H website. We will be bringing you showing news from major dates on the circuit including Royal Windsor, Royal Welsh, Royal International, HOYS and more, as well as important news that the showing world cares about throughout the year. Stick with us for all you need to know.

Enjoy reading the rest of this exclusive series for H&H subscribers…

Expert tips to turn your hairy horses into showing stars ready to impress the judges

Expert tips for building up your show horse’s workload ready for the ring – with useful fitness timeline and warning signs

Look at me, judges! Expert tips on preparing your show horse to stand out in the ring for all the right reasons this season

Be ready to win with expert tips on last-minute planning and polish to ensure a successful show ring debut

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8 trimmers for tidying, blending and finishing touches

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Knowing how to remove stable stains is a crucial skill for every owner of a grey or coloured horse. It is a fact of life that these horses will find the sole pile of dung in an otherwise spotless bed to lie in. And it’s not just the manure – grass stains and mud can be equally hard to shift.

There’s no point hoping stains will fade, rub off or magically disappear from your horse’s white coat, and the same goes for yellowed tails. Instead, tackle them as soon as possible. You’ll need elbow grease, some good brushes and the best shampoos and stain-removing products for your horse.

How to remove stable stains: step-by-step

Initially, use a curry comb or grooming mitt with rubber pimples to lift up the dirt, before brushing off with a long dandy brush. The excess mud or muck will now have gone, but the white coat is likely still to be stained and will need some products to return it to its former glory.

The best shampoos to use on greys have a blue or purple tint and UV brighteners, which help to highlight the whiteness of the horse’s coat, neutralise stains and reflect light. These whitening and brightening shampoos are specifically designed for washing grey and coloured horses, and white socks, such as Carr & Day & Martin Gallop Stain Removing Shampoo (available on Amazon), a concentrated purple formula. As with your own hair, apply the product directly to a wet coat, work in well with a brush or sponge to create a good lather and rinse thoroughly. For stubborn stains, repeat the process.

Stain removers are particularly useful in winter, when it’s too cold to give your horse a full soaking. They are also handy on show days when you need a last-minute touch-up. They are no-rinse products which you can spray directly on to the stain, massage into the coat and then brush or wipe off, such as Cowboy Magic Green Spot Remover (available on Amazon). This also contains conditioner to strengthen the hair and condition the skin, plus shea butter to give a shine to the coat.

The finishing touches

A thorough bath is all very well for everyday stains, but when you need grey horse or white socks to gleam brightly at a show, a whitening product is the answer. These can be used both on the coat and for super white socks to wow the judges. There are different formulas – some come as a powder which can be added to the final rinsing water and allowed to dry on the coat; some can be applied the night before under leg bandages; some come in a paste form. Here are a few options:

• Supreme Products Leg and Body Whitener is a non-sticky powder which can either be diluted and left to dry or brushed on to last-minute stains with a damp brush.
• Absorbine Showsheen Stain Remover and Whitener Spray contains oxi-eraser stain lifters, designed to clean the stain and whiten in one go.
• Gold Label Chalk Powder is another popular choice – it just needs to be applied with a dry cloth and the excess brushed off.

How to remove stable stains if all else fails…

Some owners take a less conventional approach.

A household washing detergent, such as Fairy liquid or Persil, in hot water is said to work wonders on cleaning grey tails, especially for mares, whose tails can become stained with urine. Detergents are not recommended for use on horses’ skin, and can strip the natural oils, so make sure you only clean the hairs below the dock so that the detergent does not come into contact with the skin. Mix up a bucket of hot water with a squirt of Fairy or a couple of tablespoonfuls of Persil, put the bottom half of the tail in and hold up for as long as you can. Rinse thoroughly, if necessary using a conditioner to ensure all traces of the detergent have been washed out.

A coat shine spray can help minimise the traction of dirt and manure on to the coat. By making the coat slightly slippery, the muck is more likely to slide off instead of penetrating the hair shaft. However, take care not to use them in the saddle area.

How to prevent stable stains and keep the dirt away

We all know that prevention is better than cure. For stabled horses, skip out as regularly as possible. Rugs, stable sheets and hoods will protect the body and mane. Plait or double up the tail overnight and bandage the lower half while the horse is stabled the night before the day when it absolutely has to be sparkling clean. Simpler still, buy a tail bag, or make one out of a leg of an old pair of tights.

They say that the best way to keep a grey horse clean is not get one in the first place – but there’s a reason Desert Orchid, Milton and Avebury stole our hearts.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout major shows, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

I’m incredibly lucky that I get to test all sorts of horsey products as part of my job but, as a horse owner myself, I’m always looking for ways to save money while doing the best for my horse.

Everyone always asks me whether expensive always means better? And the answer is not always – it really depends on what you’re buying.

I have a StripHair Gentle Groomer, which I love, and recently spotted this unbranded Amazon dupe in the Black Friday sale for just £3.99. I was desperate to see how it compared to my StripHair tool as this is currently £37 at GS Equestrian, which is a massive difference in price. I also wanted to know whether it was worth buying before adding to my Black Friday equestrian deals round up.

I already owned a StripHair gentle groomer and really like it, but it’s undeniably expensive, so I was keen to see how the unbranded Amazon dupe stood up to the test.

The two products look very similar but you can tell the StripHair groomer is much more flexible once you get hold of them. Otherwise, the dupe is ever so slightly smaller in size but has all the same features.

Both tools have a bristle- and blade-free design. The smaller soft-cleaning diamond surface on the topside (that you can see in my first picture) is perfect for exfoliating the face and legs, while the large diamond surface (above) is great for removing mud, sweat and stains. It can also be used to provide your horse with a relaxing massage.

The edge of the tools can be used when your horse is molting and to scrape excess water after bathing. My horse really enjoys being groomed so the massage effect is a nice treat for her – and massage is known to increase circulation, which can be a good thing.

As I mentioned earlier, the StripHair is more flexible so it contours really easily to your horse’s body. The rubber material is infused with orange and olive oils to increase durability, performance and anti-microbial properties. But aside from this, the products are really similar. It’s up to you whether the difference of £30+ is worth it – if you’ve got the spare cash then I’d say go for it, but if you’re looking to save money then the Amazon dupe certainly does the job.

I tried using the Amazon dupe to clean a saddle pad, too, and you can easily see where I’ve cleaned in a matter of seconds without damaging the pad.

If you’re looking for a cheap but practical gift for a horse lover or have a yard Secret Santa to buy for this year, I don’t think this grooming tool will disappoint. Yes you can buy the StripHair original, but if it’s out of your budget then the Amazon dupe is an excellent alternative for just a fraction of the price.

If you like the sound of the StripHair Original, here are today’s best prices…

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

We’ve spotted this great deal on a complete set of Supreme Products Perfection Brushes and a Pro Groom Ring Bag. Right now you can save 20% on the RRP if you purchase from Viovet, and this early Black Friday equestrian deal is the lowest price we can find anywhere.

If you’re looking for a Christmas gift for a horse lover, we think this deal is worth checking out – I would certainly be pleased if this was waiting under the tree for me, as would my horse.

Supreme Products are leaders in equine preparation products and are very popular with the showing community, so you won’t be disappointed with this set. You’ll find Supreme Products items in our guides to the best mane and tail detanglerss, best coat shine sprays and best whitening shampoos to name but a few.

The complete set of four brushes are worth £54.99 if you buy them without the handy bag, so you’re making a great saving as the bag alone normally costs £26.

The smart bag, which features in our guide to the best grooming bags, has multiple pockets and compartments for storing all your go-to products and brushes organised in one place.

With a bit of help from these perfection brushes, your horse will be looking spic and span in no time. The Supreme Products grooming set is ideal for use at competitions to create a show ring-ready shine, but would also make a great gift for someone who loves to pamper their horse at home.

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

For months, you’ve been planning on reorganising your feed room, getting your rugs cleaned and having a mass tack room clear-out — but there never seems to be enough hours in the day. Now that shorter daylight hours are upon us, it’s enough of a struggle keeping on top of the daily jobs you need to do to keep your horse ticking over. Well, here are our favourite time-saving horse care tips to make life at the yard run that little bit more smoothly…

16 time-saving horse care tips to try this winter

1. Sharing jobs

Sharing jobs with a friend will greatly reduce the time you need to spend at the yard. For example, you could do the morning feed and turn out both your horses, in return for her bringing in and doing the evening feed. You can even arrange things so you get to have the odd weekend lie-in…

2. Keep your horse out

It’s not for everyone or every horse, or an option at every livery yard, but grass-kept horses save bags of time in mucking out, bringing in and turning out.

3. Plait and bag tails

Dirty, stained tails are a nightmare in winter, especially if you’re planning to keep competing through the darker months. Don’t leave it to chance – wash your horse’s tail, plait it and stick it in a tail bag. They’re secure and are designed to withstand turnout. Or if a tail bag isn’t your bag, load it up with the best mane and tail detangler to help stop mud and dirt from sticking to it and to save time grooming.

4. Make up all haynets in advance

Do this at the weekend, perhaps, when you’re not quite so time-starved. It’s much quicker to blitz it than to try and do one at a time when you’re already in a rush. Make the job quicker and easier with a haynet filler like this one.

5. Do the same with feeds…

Make each one up in a closed plastic container, such as an old ice-cream or supplement tub, so it can quickly be tipped into a bucket and fed as required. This does however require a fair few tubs and some storage space, but even doing three days’ worth in one go will prove a time-saver. If you’re stuck for space, freezer bags are also an option. Just store them in a secure container so rodents can’t get to them.

6. … and with your feeds!

Search for recipes ideal for batch cooking – websites like BBC Good Food are a great place to start – and portion out meals to freeze for another day. It’ll be such a relief to have a defrosted meal waiting for you to nuke after you inevitably get in after 8pm. Plus, if you’re budget-conscious, you won’t be forced to pick up convenience food on your way home. Although it’s nice to have a treat!

7. Get a long hose to fill water buckets

Don’t risk putting your back out lugging heavy water buckets across the yard – invest in a long hose with a gun that can be shut off so you can fill your water bucket in your stable instead. Safer and quicker.

8. Keep a change of clothes and boots in your car/at the yard…

If you need to rush straight from work to the yard, or vice versa, it’s worth keeping a spare set of clothes to change in to, so your work stuff doesn’t smell of horse. Always keep boots at the yard, too.

9. … and invest in some overclothes

Warm, waterproof layers that can fit over your work clothes or just your riding gear are a great shout. Overalls, ski trousers or long robe-like coats like these do the trick perfectly. They can be used time and time again – who cares if they get dirty – and it’ll help save you endless washing at home, too.

10. Get a sharer

If your horse could benefit from more exercise than you’re able to give him, or you’re just really time-short, a sharer could be the answer. They get to ride your horse in return for doing chores such as mucking out, turning out and poo-picking, and/or making a financial contribution. Everyone’s a winner. Find out how to make sharing your horse work.

11. Invest in decent grooming equipment

There’s loads of cheap ‘n’ cheerful grooming equipment available – the problem is that a lot of it isn’t very efficient at getting the job done, just as a cheap plastic comb isn’t as efficient at untangling human hair as a proper salon-style brush. Spend a bit more on decent brushes – your diary and horse will thank you.

While you’re at it, make sure you’re using the best horse shampoo and stain remover for you, too. There’s no point throwing good money after bad with an ineffective product.

Another time-saving horse-washing solution is investing in a hot horse shower – no more trudging back and forth to the house or yard kitchen for endless buckets of warm water. Some of your fellow liveries might be up for pitching in to help with the initial cost, too.

12. Get rubber matting for your stable

Most stables are matted nowadays, but if you don’t have rubber matting it has so many benefits. It requires some investment up front, as rubber mats are fairly expensive, but they mean you’ll need a smaller bed for your horse in the stable, saving time (and money) on mucking out.

13. Try a deep-litter bed

It’s not for everyone, but lots of owners find this to be one of the best time-saving horse care tips for busy weekdays. Deep littering works best with particular types of bedding (shavings, hemp, flax, shredded wood fibre or pellets) and entails laying a deeper bed than usual. During the week, you skip out all droppings and leave the wet to seep away to the bottom of the bed. Once a week or so, the wet is removed, and the bed topped up with fresh bedding.

14. Tack wipes

These are a cheat’s way of getting tack looking cleaner without spending ages polishing away. A quick once-over after a ride, job done. They’re no substitute for a proper deep tack clean, but mean you don’t need to do those so often.

15. Switch one ride per week for groundwork

Even 15 minutes of walking over raised poles will help maintain your horse’s fitness and muscle tone and it can be great for bonding. Unsure where to start? Here’s our how-to on groundwork for horses.

16. Ditch the stable rug

Again, not for everyone and it’s always good to practise good rug hygiene, which includes regular removal of rugs for checking the horse over and grooming. But, twice-daily rug changes are a chore and reducing that part of your daily routine will have you clawing back time. Plus, turnouts that are wet and muddy on the outside will be dry come morning!

Do you have any time-saving horse care tips you’d like to share with fellow H&H readers? Please email us at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and county, for the chance for your tips to appear in a forthcoming issue of the magazine

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout London International and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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So many equestrians vow to never buy a grey because they can be a nightmare to keep clean – but with the help of the best whitening shampoos for horses it’s possible to remove stains and yellowing. All-purpose horse shampoos are great for deep cleans, but when you have a grey a whitening shampoo is likely to bring out the best in your horse’s coat. The best whitening shampoos aren’t just for grey horses either, they can work wonders on white markings, too. If you don’t have time or it’s too cold to bath your horse, you can also use water-free stain removers, which work in a similar way to dry shampoo for humans.

When choosing the best whitening horse shampoo for your horse, it’s worth noting the size of the bottle (or bar) and how many washes it delivers – we’ve asked for the number of washes when used as recommended. This will also give you a guide as to how much to use but will, of course, depend on the size and type of your horse – most good shampoos don’t require you to use too much at a time, and following the guidance will save you money and prevent wastage.

Best whitening shampoos for horses

Supreme Products Blue Shampoo

Sizes: 500ml, 1l, 5l

Suggested washes per bottle: Unavailable

RRP: £11.75 for 500ml

H&H Rating: 9/10, H&H Approved

This shampoo formulated to produce a white and bright finish to grey and white coats. It also adds colour definition and a lustrous finish to bay, brown and black coats.

Our showing editor tested this shampoo and said it was one of the most effective whitening shampoos she’d tried. Read her full Supreme Products Blue Shampoo review.

Carr & Day & Martin Gallop Extra Strength Shampoo

Sizes: 500ml

Suggested washes per bottle: 5–10

RRP: £9.95

H&H Rating: 9/10

This shampoo is formulated to target stubborn ingrained grass and stable stains. It is an extra-thick, concentrated formula with powerful stain-removing properties.

Read H&H’s review of the Carr & Day & Martin Gallop Stain Removing Shampoo.

Smart Grooming Deep Purple Shampoo

Sizes: 250ml, 500ml, 1l, 5l

Suggested washes per bottle: Up to 5 from 250ml

RRP: £6.95 for 250ml

H&H Rating: 9/10

This shampoo is designed to lift and neutralise discolouration while also effectively cleaning any dirt or debris from the hair or skin. Its colour enhancing properties help to brighten white coats while adding shine. Made with lavender essential oils, it it suitable for horses with sensitive skin.

Read H&H’s review of the Smart Grooming Deep Purple shampoo.

NAF Show Off

Sizes: 500ml, 2l

Suggested washes per bottle: Up to 25 from 500ml

RRP: £10.99 for 500ml

H&H Rating: 9/10, H&H Approved

This shampoo, cleans, shines and smells great. It is designed to make coloured coats brighter and grey coats whiter.

Our showing editor tested this shampoo and found it to be very reasonably priced. It didn’t remove some of the most stubborn stable stains on the first attempt, but it was great for regular use to keep on top of stains. Read H&H’s review of the NAF Show Off shampoo review.

Wild Wash Equine Natural Whitening Horse Shampoo

Sizes: 300ml, 1l, 5l

Suggested washes per bottle: 10 from 300ml

RRP: £16.95 for 300ml

H&H Rating: 9/10, H&H Approved

This natural shampoo uses a blue pigment derived from the chamomile flower combined with lavender and ylang ylang. This unique natural whitener is formulated for white, grey and palomino coats, manes and tails.

Our showing editor tested this shampoo and described it as smelling “divine”. She particularly liked the no-mess pump and that it was natural. Although it’s at the upper end of the market, it was very effective, which increased the value. Read her full Wild Wash Whitening Shampoo review.

Lincoln Hint Of A Tint White Horse Shampoo

Sizes: 500ml

Suggested washes per bottle: up to 50

RRP: £9.50

Features a gentle whitener and brightener in the formula, which is highly concentrated to ensure a clean coat and sheen.

Hy Equestrian Thelwell Grooming Academy Shine Bright Shampoo

Sizes: 400ml

Suggested washes per bottle: up to 40

RRP: £6.99

A fast-acting shampoo that combats yellow staining with avocado and wheat germ extracts. Rich in vitamins and antioxidants.

Equine Products UK Pro Whitening Horse Shampoo

Sizes: 500ml, 2.5l

Suggested washes per bottle: Not available

RRP: £12.65 for 500ml

Specially formulated to enhance white coats. Tropical scent and formulated with a deep-cleansing silk protein conditioner.

Veredus Blue Snow Shampoo

Sizes: 500ml

Suggested washes per bottle: Not available

RRP: £21

H&H Rating: 8/10

This product has been specifically designed for grey and white coats. It removes dirt and stable stains while helping to restore your horse’s natural colour to his coat.

Read H&H’s review of the Veredus Blue Snow shampoo.

Hy Equestrian Magic Dazzle Whitening Shampoo

Sizes: 500ml, 5l

Suggested washes per bottle: 25 from 500ml

RRP: £9.50 for 500ml

This shampoo is described as fast-acting with a whitening formula to combat yellowing hair. It contains avocado, lavender and wheat germ extracts to protect and repair the coat from damage.

Shapley’s Equitone Whitening Shampoo

Science Supplements Bright White Shampoo

Sizes: 500ml

Suggested washes per bottle: 20

RRP: £11.99

This colour-enhancing, mild and gentle wash is suitable for horses with sensitive skin. The balanced formula – that can also be used on coloured coats – cleans without bleaching and is rich in keratin, which has a calming and moisturising effect on sensitive skin.

Cavalor Bianco Wash

Sizes: 500ml

Suggested washes per bottle: 20–30

RRP: £23.50

This pH balanced shampoo removes stains rather than mask them.

Leovet Shiny White Stain Eraser Shampoo

Sizes: 500ml

Suggested washes per bottle: 10–14

RRP: £12.20

This natural shampoo gently cleanses and has a natural whitening effect that helps to prevent yellow discolourations and vanish stains. It contains natural protein from the African moringa tree that prevents new stains for up to two days, while lipid regulators ensure the moisture balance in the skin and leave the hair white, healthy and glossy. It also contains anti-static agents that work as a detangler, making hair easier to comb.

Equine America Squeaky Clean Whitening Shampoo

Sizes: 1l

Suggested washes per bottle: Not available

RRP: £15.99

This natural whitening and colour-enhancing shampoo contains aloe vera, Pro-Vitamin B5 that naturally highlight the coat whatever the colour. Free from bleaching agents, parabens and sulphates.

In the UK? Buy direct at equine-america.co.uk

Wahl Showman Diamond White Shampoo

Sizes: 500ml, 5l

Suggested washes per bottle: Unavailable

RRP: £7.99 for 500ml

Designed to enhance white, grey and coats with light tones. Excellent for removing dirt and grease stains, the shampoo features white enhancers to revitalise and boost the natural pigmentation of the coat for a dazzling finish. Formula includes extracts of cucumber, passionflower, lemon, and lime.

Omega Equine Shampoo Perfect

Sizes: 1l

Suggested washes per bottle: At least 10

RRP: £11.99

Combines lavender oil with cleansing agents that leave a lustrous sheen and a soft mane and tail.

Cowboy Magic Shine In Yellowout

Sizes: 16oz, 32oz

Washes per bottle: Not available

RRP: £12 for 16oz

This stain-removing shampoo neutralises yellow stains and brightens hair of all colours. It doesn’t contain any bleaches or peroxides but instead uses optical brighteners.

Does purple shampoo work on horses?

It’s not recommended that you use human purple shampoo on your horse, but there are plenty of purple horse shampoos to choose from. As well as smelling delightful, the best whitening shampoos for horses are often a lustrous purple colour. But this is no coincidence – the violet pigments in the product help to neutralise the yellow staining that is often characteristic of the coats and tails of grey and coloured horse, or on those with white markings.

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Subscribe today and enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus unlimited website access and digital versions of the magazine dating back to September 2012.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The best coat shine sprays for horses are usually multi-purpose and come under a range of names, including coat shine, coat gloss, grooming spray or even hair polish. They’re great for everyday use to prevent the build-up of dust and dirt, but they’re are also an essential on show day to give you horse that extra shine and tactfully highlight their best features.

Some coat shine sprays for horses can also be used as a mane and tail detangler, while others are handy to use before clipping or to help prevent rug rub. Most coat shine for horses will also contain conditioning ingredients to promote strong, soft and healthy hair. If your horse is lacking lustre and shine, it’s worth considering whether he would benefit from a skin and coat supplement, too.

Best coat shine sprays for horses

Absorbine ShowSheen Hair Polish & Detangler

Sizes: 950ml

RRP: £18.69

This formula from Absorbine works as both a coat spray and detangler. It contains pro-vitamins to condition the skin and coat, plus silk proteins to strengthen the hair and give it a healthy shine. Applying it to the coat helps to repel dust, keep him clean for longer and help reduce static. The sprayer head that allows targeted application with vertical or horizontal spray patterns and sprays upside down for those hard-to-reach areas.

Carr & Day & Martin Dreamcoat

Sizes: 500ml, 1l, 2.5l

RRP: £12.50 for 500ml

This spray from Carr & Day & Martin provides what is described as the ultimate high-gloss finish. The unique non-slip formula highlights muscle definition and can be used on the saddle patch, leaving no grease or residue. It can also be sprayed onto manes and tails before plaiting for extra shine.

Supreme Products Coat Gloss

Sizes: 750ml, 1l, 5l

RRP: £15.05 for 750ml

This spray is formulated to achieve perfection on show coats. It’s light in texture so can be applied to either wet or dry coats and is incredibly shiny without being sticky, tacky, static or oily. It’s primarily used to lay the coat and seal the hairs, but it can also be used as an under-belly mud repellent and will hold quarter marks in place..

Cavalor Star Shine

Sizes: 500ml

RRP: £17.99 for 500ml

This long-lasting hair conditioner from Cavalor can be used to maintain a knot-free mane and tail, and give a brightening gleam to your horse’s coat.

Cowboy Magic Super Body Shine

Sizes: 16oz, 32oz, 1gal

RRP: £12.04 for 16oz

This concentrated formula by Cowboy Magic adds shine and repels dust. It’s ready to use, dries fast and reflects a full spectrum of light. It also contains aloe vera to strengthen and condition the hair and skin.

NAF Shine On

Sizes: 500ml

RRP: £12.99

Described as a grooming box musti-have, this fine-mist spray by NAF smells great and gives your horse that extra, last minute sparkle without getting your reins to slippery. It can also be used on manes and tails to give an overall finish.

Shapley’s Hi Gloss Finishing Spray

Sizes: 12oz

RRP: £18.99

This American-made light, fresh-smelling oil-based aerosol spray will keep your horses skin and hair supple and conditioned when used regularly. It can also be used to add definition to muscles and highlight features, adding shine and lustre in seconds. It accentuates all colours of horses and works as a leave-in conditioner. You can also spray it on horses’ shoulders to help prevent rug rubs.

Supreme Products Moisturise & Condition

Sizes: 500ml, 5l

RRP: £15.50 for 500ml

This spray by Supreme Products will help condition your horse’s coat, mane and tail, keeping it hydrated and healthy. It promotes a natural shine and leaves hair feeling soft. It can be used on manes that are regularly plaited, hooded, dry or liable to get damaged.

Lincoln Silky Shine Coat Enhancer Spray

Sizes: 400ml

RRP: £7.99

A “glossifying” spray that adds sparkle and shine to the coat – perfect for a variety of coats. You can spray it onto plaits and quarter marks for depth and definition. For bays and duns it enhances black points and for greys it illuminates the coat in all lights. Provides exceptional results indoors with artificial lighting, or natural sunlight.

Nettex Coat Shine

Sizes: 500ml

RRP: £11.10

This multi-purpose, long-lasting coat dressing from Nettex provides a high-shine finish. The non-oily formula seals and coats the hair, repelling dust and dirt and preventing staining. Regular use will help prevent stable and grass stains from becoming ingrained. It can also be used before clipping to reduce clipping lines on clean coats.

Science Supplements Coat Shine & Conditioner

Sizes: 750ml

RRP: £12.99

This spray from Science Supplements is an anti-static formula that also helps moisturises the skin, repel stains and provides a long-lasting sparkle. It makes the application of quarter markings easy and can also be applied to the chest and shoulders to help stop rugs and blankets from rubbing.

Leovet Silkcare Conditioner

Sizes: 550ml

RRP: £13.49

This conditioning spray from Leovet contains high quality silk proteins that give long-lasting support to the hair structure. It also helps to repel dust and dirt, and leaves a natural-looking shine.

Shires Ezi-Groom Shine Spray

Sizes: 400ml

RRP: £13.99

This all-over spray from Shires contains added protein serum to give a shiny and glossy look. It’s quick drying and also helps to remove stains.

Smart Grooming Coat Sheen

Sizes: 500ml, 1l, 5l

RRP: £13.95 for 500ml

The Smart Grooming spray enhances the natural shine of the coat and can also be used prior to clipping making it easier for blades to glide through and give a smooth finish. It doesn’t leave an artificial shine or residue that can come from oil-based products, and does not attract dirt or dust. It’s best applied with a fleece mitt and then buffed into the coat for a dry, shiny finish. Also available as a refill making it a cost-effective option.

Botanica 6-in-1 Spray

Sizes: 750ml

RRP: £17.89

This multipurpose spray helps to dentangle manes and tails, deters flies and insects, removes dust and dirt from the coat and helps to prevent stains. It conditions and shines, helps to reduce dandruff and flaky skin, and can be sprayed directly onto open wounds.

Farnam Vetrolin Shine

Sizes: 591ml, 946ml, 1.89l

RRP: £18 for 946ml

This coat polish enhances shine and protects the coat from dust, but also contains sunscreen to help protect coat bleaching. It can also be used to help remove stains by applying the night before a show and sponging it off in the morning.

In the US? View now at amazon.com or chewy.com

How do I make my horse’s coat shiny?

It’s first important to ensure your horse is healthy, well-maintained and has a complete diet. Ensuring your horse has a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients – including protein, vitamins, and minerals – will help maintain a glossy coat. Skin and coat supplements that include biotin and omega-3 fatty acids can promote coat health, while regular grooming sessions will help remove dirt, debris, and loose hair. Grooming also helps to distribute natural oils and stimulating the skin for a healthy shine.

Incorporate bathing with one of the best horse shampoos periodically to keep the coat clean and remove excess oil and dirt. However, be mindful of over-bathing to prevent stripping the coat of its natural oils. Conditioning the coat with one of the best coat shine sprays can further enhance its lustre, while balanced turnout, regular exercise and adequate hydration also contribute to overall coat health.

Can you use olive oil on a horse’s coat?

Yes, olive oil can be used on a horse’s coat to promote shine and condition the hair. It’s a natural option that can provide moisture to the hair and promote shine, particularly for horses with dry or dull coats.

However, olive oil must be used sparingly to avoid making the coat greasy or attracting dirt. Coat shine sprays, on the other hand, are formulated specifically for enhancing coat shine and may contain ingredients that coat the hair shaft to reflect light and create a glossy appearance. Sprays are convenient and may provide quick results without making the coat greasy when used as directed.

You might also like:

The best detanglers to keep manes and tails knot-free and looking lustrous

Best equine skin and coat supplements: what are your options?

14 dry shampoos and stain removers that will leave your horse gleaming

19 shampoos that will get your horse sparkling – because he’s worth it!

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The summer show season will be here before you know it, so now is the perfect time to brush up on your plaiting and Alan Davies is here to help. We hear from the top groom, who kept Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin’s horses in pristine condition for much of the past decade, to learn his top tips when it comes to perfect plaits.

From prepping the mane to why he prefers bands to stitching, discover Alan Davies’ plaiting secrets…

1. Don’t be afraid of using scissors

Alan explains that how you look after the mane will depend on the individual horse and their type of hair.

“For horses with thick, wiry manes, like Uthopia, I have to occasionally pull the mane,” he says. “But horses like Valegro or En Vogue, for example, have quite fine manes, so I tend to trim those with scissors.

“I let them grow as long as possible, then backcomb them a little and trim with scissors. I use the scissors on an angle so the cut doesn’t come out too straight, and it means you can slightly feather the end of the mane.

2. Keep your neck covers clean

“If your horse has neck covers on their rugs at night or during the day, make sure you keep the covers really clean so they don’t rub out too much hair, especially at the base of the neck,” says Alan, on episode 42 of The Horse & Hound Podcast.

“Manes often get thin there and then the plaits just fade out which doesn’t look so good.”

3. Look after the mane on a daily basis – and decide which side you want it to lie on

“Try to keep it clean, but without brushing it out too much,” advises Alan. “I use a comb on the manes day-to-day, just to get any shavings out in the mornings.

“Carl and Charlotte like horses’ manes to lie on the off side, so if we have horses arriving with manes on the other side, I’ll do half plaits to train it over onto that side.”

4. Don’t trim the mane too close to plaiting

“Let the hair grow for as long as possible to help it thicken, but don’t trim too close to a show otherwise the hair will be too thick at the end,” says Alan. “For plaiting, I want the mane to be nice and even, but slightly thinner at the ends.”

5. Don’t turn your nose up at elastic bands

It may surprise you that Alan’s perfect plaits, that have graced the cover of H&H on many occasions, are achieved using elastic plaiting bands, not through stitching.

“I find that it’s nicer for the mane and you don’t risk snipping hair with scissors when taking the thread out,” he explains.

“I use a plaiting spray to make the mane really sleek then plait down, making the plait looser at the top and tighter at the bottom. I turn over the end of the plait and put a band around it. Then I put another band round the end, keeping it looser, then roll the plait up through the band, turning the band round it as I roll the plait. Then I twist the band at the top of the plait and put it underneath so you can’t see it.”

6. If your plaits stick up, you might be plaiting from too much height

“I have adjustable steps I use; whatever you choose, make sure it’s safe so you’re not going to fall off and the horse won’t get its legs tangled,” says Alan.

“I like to be about eye level with the top of the neck. If I stand too high then plaits tend to come out sticking up a little, and if I’m too low they can be a bit droopy. I like nice perky plaits right at eye level.”

You may also be interested in…

9 plaiting products to help you create the perfect look

‘I taught Kate Middleton to ride’: 9 things you may not know about supergroom Alan Davies

How well do you know the dressage supergroom? Here are nine things about Alan that you might not have known….

Alan Davies stepping back from role as ‘super-groom’ to Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin

‘I sobbed all the way up the centre line’: Alan Davies’ highlights from his time as Valegro’s super-groom

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

You want your horse to be warm and cosy in their winter rug with a neck cover, but many horse owners have discovered an aggravating downside to this — it rubs off all or part of the mane. However, there are plenty of methods for preserving them, so owners can figure out whatever works best for them and their horses. Here we explain how to stop mane rubbing on rugs.

Horse & Hound spoke to Sarah Shears, an international competition groom and a member of the British Grooms Association. She says: “In my experience the main reason that manes get rubbed away in the winter is because of either badly fitting rugs, or dirty neck covers. The grease then rubs off the rug back onto the mane and pulls the hair out as the horse moves their head.”

Sarah continues: “To help combat this, try and keep the mane washed as much as possible in the winter. Alternatively, if it’s too cold to wash your horse, use a water brush with warm water and a tiny drop of shampoo to help keep the grease down. It also helps to use duvets under your rug instead of heavy neck rugs and always try and use a detachable neck cover on your stable or turnout rug so it can easily be washed.”

Holly Askew, a horse owner from Manchester, says: “If the horse doesn’t need a full clip, I don’t use a neck.” This is by far, the simplest solution for an unclipped horse, especially furry natives. Holly adds: “If I have to I will attach a no fill neck to whatever rug I need, which is taken off at night.”

For horses with a long mane, keeping it in individual plaits prevents it from being rubbed off. It’s a slightly strange look and requires faff to maintain, but it’s effective.

If you don’t want to wash your horse’s mane, if it’s not long enough to plait, and if you need a neck, it seems as though different makes and types of rugs can reduce rubbing. However, horse owners disagree on which ones, so it probably depends on the horse and the rug.

How to stop mane rubbing on rugs: more tips

One user of the Horse & Hound forums agrees with Sarah that detachable necks rubbed less than permanently attached ones, but several more posters disagreed, writing that in their experience, detachable necks were more problematic. A user who says she hunts regularly, and therefore needs to be able to plait her horse’s manes, finds she has had good results with the Bossy Bib mane guard. However, someone else says this method didn’t work for them at all.

Shoulder guards and hoods for horses are also available, which could help to prevent your horse’s mane being rubbed.

International eventer Lucinda Green tells us: “Here’s the advert for Horsware Rambo rugs and necks — we have no rubbed manes and they all live in necks and turn out rugs 24/7.”

Other manufacturers owners have had luck with include Horseware Rugs, which only have a half-neck, and Mark Todd rugs. Whatever the manufacturer, the general consensus is that lighter covers cause less damage, so if possible, attach a lightweight or medium-weight neck cover to a heavy weight rug, and if you can get away without a neck cover at all, that solves the problem.

Other how to stop mane rubbing on rugs tips include spraying mane and tail detangler on the mane while the horse is wearing a rug with a neck, or to try rubbing coconut oil into the affected area, which reportedly helps regrowth and prevents initial rubbing.

7 hoods that will protect your grooming efforts

10 stable rugs your horse will thank you for

A pick of the best lightweight turnouts for changeable weather

12 things you’d forgotten about turnout rugs (until recently…)

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Having the best grooming brushes for horses in your grooming kit will up your grooming game. Some horse owners prefer to buy one of the best complete grooming kits, while others opt for a ‘pick and mix’ method, selecting the best brushes for different parts of the body and different coats.

Not only will the best grooming brushes clean your horse to a high standard, but they will give a good finishing polish. The bristles on each type of grooming brush will vary — some sensitive horses prefer the softer, while some need a firmer groom – and the best bristle option will depend on your horse’s coat, too.

The best grooming brushes for horses should be comfy to hold and a good size for your hand – some will have handles, while others will have ergonomic grips. It should be well made, easy to clean and dry quickly after washing because if you can’t keep your brush clean, then it’s not going to be effective at cleaning your horse.

Best grooming brushes for horses

Equerry Luxury XLH Body Brush: Best grooming brush for quarter marks

RRP: £24 | H&H Review: 9/10, H&H Approved |

This brush has a very large surface area and an almost rectangular shape making grooming more efficient. It’s built on a lightweight compound leather board.

We tested this brush and thought it was a good old-fashioned brush — it cleaned the horse well and was really great for quarter marks. Read the full Equerry body brush review.

In the UK? View now at viovet.co.uk

Magic Brush: Best grooming brush for versatility

RRP: £14.95 for set of three |

These versatile brushes can be used on all parts of your horse’s body, including his hooves. They are gentle on joints and bones and tough on dried mud, dirt and dried sweat. It gives as good massage and the top side is also an effective scraper for bathing. It is described as “virtually indestructible” and is machine washable.

In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk, naylors.com, gsequestrian.co.uk or decathlon.co.uk

Haas Schimmel Brush For Grey Horses: Best grooming brush for grey coats

RRP: £13.99 |

This brush is designed for white and grey horses. It’s made of strong and tightly packed coconut fibres that are ideal for removing stains on lighter coats and markings. It has a leather handle and is made in a slightly smaller size for female hands.

In the UK? View now at viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk

In the US? View now at amazon.com

Wahl Face Brush: Best grooming brush for the face

RRP: £6.99 |

This soft-bristled brush can be used to remove loose hair and dirt, and leave a glossy shine. It’s the ideal size and softness for delicate areas around the face.

In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk or wahl.co.uk

Shires Ezi-Groom Grip Dandy Brush: Best brush for winter coats

Sizes: Small or large | RRP: From £4.50 |

The large dandy brush has a soft-hold grippy back and stiff synthetic bristles. It removes mud and sweat from winter coats without removing the essential oils. It’s available in a wide range of colours and in two sizes.

In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk, equus.co.uk, rideawaystore.com, naylors.com or gsequestrian.co.uk

In the US? View now at amazon.com

Shires Ezi-Groom Metal Sweat Scraper/Shedding Blade: Best for removing hair

RRP: £5.25 |

This sweat scraper/shedding blade isn’t a traditional brush, but it’s highly effective at removing excess water from the horse’s coat, as well as dried mud and the winter coat as your horse begins to moult.

In the UK? View now at viovet.co.uk, naylors.com or gsequestrian.co.uk

LeMieux Heritage Dapple Body Brush

RRP: £24.95 | H&H Review: 8/10 |

This brush has natural horse hair bristles for enhancing the hair’s natural shine and preventing static. The natural grained wooden oval back is complete with a quality leather handle and solid metal badge.

We tested this brush and found it to be very soft, so was best used as a finishing brush or for clipped horses. Read the full LeMieux Heritage Dapple Body Brush review.

In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk

Hy Deluxe Horse Hair Wooden Body Brush

Sizes: Small or large | RRP: From £8.99 | H&H Review: 8/10 |

This lacquered oval body brush has horse hair bristles and leather strap. It’s available in two sizes.

We tested this brush and found it was better at giving a finishing polish than it was at general cleaning, but it was comfortable to hold. Read the full Hy Deluxe Body Brush review.

In the UK? View now at viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk

You might also like:

From a muddy field to the show ring: a complete guide on how to groom a horse

6 grooming bags to keep your kit tidy and organised

Coat shine sprays worth adding to your grooming kit before show day

8 grooming kits and brush sets to cover all bases

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

If you’ve got a horse who’s attracted to the mud, one of the best portable horse showers could be just what you need. You can use them to wash your horse in the winter and remove stable stains before shows, but they’re really handy for washing down in the summer, too. Plus, many designs are portable, which means not only can you wheel them around the yard and store them out of the way, but you can take them away to shows, too.

There are plenty of benefits to using hot water shower to wash your horse. The hot water helps the shampoo do a better job of removing debris and grease form your horse’s coat. Horses are usually happier to bathed in warm water, too, especially in cooler temperatures. Plus if you’ve got a dog, you can use it to wash him down as well.

Choosing the best portable horse shower for you will depend on what your needs are as well as the facilities and setup of your yard. Consider the following…

• Portable vs fixed – ask yourself whether you really need a mobile unit as if you’re only planning to use the shower at home and have a suitable space to do so, a fixed unit may work well for you. However, if you’re on a livery yard, need to be able to move the shower between stable blocks or plan to take the shower to shows with you, then a portable unit on a trolley is what you need.
• Indoor vs outdoor – gas-powered horse showers are only suitable for outdoor use. If you want an indoor one it will need to be fitted as a permanent fixture and you’ll also need to build a vent for fumes. Electric showers can be used in any location providing you can reach the mains.
• Tank vs mains water – most showers are designed to be connected to the mains due to the amount of water you’ll need to wash a horse. If you’re not connected to the water supply, some showers can be connected to a barrel.

Best portable horse showers

Showerking E5 Classic

RRP: From £179 |

This outdoor shower doesn’t require electricity to power, just access to mains water. It delivers 5L/min, and dials allow you to control the temperature and water pressure. It includes a spray gun, all the connectors you need, a gas regulator and gas hose. You can upgrade to include a bespoke trolley, 6m hose and shampoo spray gun.

It comes with a one year manufacturer’s warranty and Showerking provide technical support of the life of the shower.

In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk or ebay.co.uk

Eccotemp L5 Portable Tankless

RRP: £249.99 |

This outdoor shower delivers 5.7L/min at 30–35°C, and has a maximum water temperature of 65°C.

It has a built in safety timer and includes hose adapters and a shower head with an on/off switch.

It also has a one year manufacturer’s warranty and can be used with any size propane gas bottle – an 11kg bottle can supply up to 28 hours of hot water.

In the UK? View now at equestrianco.com

Hippo Shower Portable

RRP: From £495 |

Available in a wide range of colours, this shower comes on a purpose-built trolley with pneumatic tyres, as well as all the necessary fixtures and fittings. It has a lightweight expandable hose (25ft, 50ft or 100ft) with a seven-setting hand held shower attachment.

It provides 8L/min and has a digital display that allows you to monitor the water temperature, with dials to adjust the pressure and temperature.

It comes with a one year warranty as standard, but if serviced annually this can be extended for the boiler for up to five years. Fits with a 6kg gas bottle.

AS16 Portable

RRP: £245 |

This 16L portable shower unit comes on a trolley and with all the connector you’ll require for the hose and gas. It has settings for summer and winter, in addition to a digital display that allows you to monitor the water temperature. It also includes a 7m hose and spray head attachment.

In the UK? View now at ebay.co.uk

Camplux AY132N 

RRP: £189.99 |

This shower has been designed for camping in remote areas so works with low water pressure. It delivers 5L/min and comes with a shower head and house, and a gas regulator.

It has a folding handle for easy carrying and hanging, and has a drain plug, which allows you to drain the entire water content when it’s not in use to prolong its service life.

In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk

You might also like:

How good is your bath-time game? Here’s the best way to wash horses…

19 shampoos that will get your horse sparkling – because he’s worth it!

How to remove stable stains and keep a grey horse clean

19 shampoos that will get your horse whiter than white

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

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Grooming bags can be incredibly handy – and you can use them at the yard, when travelling or in the show ring. The best grooming bags for horses will have a good design that offers plenty of space for all your grooming brushes and spray bottles, such as mane and tail detangler.

Look for bags with additional pockets and internal compartments or dividers if you want help keeping things tidy and organised. External open pockets offer really easy access for larger items or the things you use most, while zipped pockets and compartments will help keep smaller items safe and secure.

Materials are important, too. The outer materials should be strong and be able to withstand being carried around the yard. Some bags have easy-clean linings, which are particularly useful as grooming bags are susceptible to getting grimy, dirty and hairy inside. Many grooming bags have waterproof and reinforced bases – and some even studs – to help prevent the bottom of the bag becoming damaged.

Some grooming bags are available in a wide range of colours and are designed to match with wider ranges. And some match with grooming brushes too, but these are usually sold separately. If you’re looking for a complete set of brushes with a bag, check out our guide to the best grooming kits.

Best grooming bags for horses

Hy Sport Active Grooming Bag

Colours: 13 options | RRP: £26.99 |

Available in a wide range of colours that coordinate with the Hy Sport Active collection, this sturdy bag has plenty of space and comes with six open pockets that are perfect to hold all your bottles and brushes. The inside has an easy-to-clean lining, a zip pocket with a name identifier and a space for your valuables. The base is reinforced and features studs to prevent damage. Also available as a complete kit with brushes (RRP £49.99).

In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk, equus.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk

In the US? View now at amazon.com

LeMieux Grooming Bag

Colours: Black, navy, bluebell or papaya | RRP: £34.95 |

Made from a strong waterproof nylon outer with a reinforced moulded base, this bag has numerous pockets and compartments, plus grab handles and an adjustable shoulder strap.

In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk

Supreme Products Pro Groom Ring Bag

Colours: Black/gold | RRP: £26 |

Described as ideal for the show ring, this classic black bag with elegant gold detailing has multiple pockets and compartments that offer plenty of storage space. It has an adjustable shoulder strap and grab handles for ease of carrying.

In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk

LeMieux Pro Kit Lite Grooming Bag

Colours: Marine, fig, sienna, navy, bluebell, sage, burgundy or papaya | RRP: £29.95 |

This lightweight grooming bag has numerous zip up compartments and a choice of a grab handle or adjustable shoulder strap. Matching brushes available.

In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk

Shires Aubrion Grooming Kit Bag

Colours: Charcoal/pink or Team | RRP: From £25.99 |

This bag has an inner compartment, eight outer pockets, grab handles, and a detachable, adjustable shoulder strap. It also has hard-wearing feet to prevent damage.

In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk

Hy Glitzy Grooming Bag

Colours: Navy, red or silver | RRP: £24.99 |

This glam grooming bag has six external pockets to store possessions and large inside compartment with an easy-clean lining to keep your brushes in. It has a detachable shoulder strap and grab handles for ease of carrying.

In the UK? View now at viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk

Roma Grooming Carry Bag

Colours: Blue, pink or purple | RRP: £17.25 |

This strong nylon bag has multiple pockets, an adjustable shoulder strap and carry handles.

In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk

In the US? View now at amazon.com

LeMieux Grooming Bag Pro

Colours: Black, navy, bluebell or papaya | RRP: £39.95 |

This grooming bag has multiple compartments inside to help keep things tidy, as well as a handy front zip pocket for easy access. It is made of a strong waterproof nylon outer, and has a reinforced moulded base, an ergonomic grab handle and padded adjustable shoulder strap.

In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk 

Masta Large Tote Bag

Colours: Pink, teal or brown | RRP: £29.95 |

This sturdy grooming bag has multiple open pockets on the outside as well as an outer zipped pocket, while the zipped lid fastening keeps all your belongings secure. The inside has an easy-clean lining and the bag is made with a sturdy base with studs to help prevent damage. It also has carry handles and a shoulder strap.

In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk

LeMieux Leather Grooming Bag

Colours: Black or brown | RRP: £59.95 |

This smart grooming bag is designed to match the rest of the LeMieux PU leather luggage collection. It has structured internal compartments to keep things tidy and organised, as well as a handy front zip pocket for easy access. It is made from a strong but soft PU leather with faux suede detailing and has a padded adjustable shoulder strap.

In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk

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If you’re looking to create the best plaits at the show ground, you’ll be pleased to know we’ve rounded up the best plaiting sprays and gels to help you avoid stray hairs and keep your plaits tidy.

A good plaiting spray will provide the perfect grip to make plaiting easier without leaving the hair tacky or greasy. Most can be applied to wet or dry manes, will add volume and shine as well as saving you valuable time, too.

Once you’ve added plaiting spray or gel, coat shine spray and mane and tail detangler to your grooming kit bag, you’re ready to head to the show.

Best plaiting sprays for horses

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Cavalor Bianco Wash

This whitening shampoo looked very smart with the dark plastic covering over its bottle – apologies for the fact I ripped it in removing the top part of the plastic before I took the photo above!

Alfie was ready for a bath on the day I used this, as he had had a few weeks without a proper clean up. I used it to give him a wash on a hot morning after he’d done a sweaty jumping session.

The bottle has a flip top which is easy to open with one hand and the shampoo squeezes out easily, but without being so runny it pours out too easily. The shampoo doesn’t have a strong smell and is virtually colourless.

The instructions say to wet the horse and then either apply a small amount directly to the coat or dilute it in lukewarm water and apply with a sponge. I chose to go for the latter but as the temperature was around 23ºC and our stable doesn’t have running hot water, I admit I used the water at the temperature it came out of the tap.

I used a pressured hose gun to add the water after I’d squeezed a blob of the Cavalor Bianco Wash into a bucket and it bubbled up beautifully. You don’t need much shampoo to create a really good lather (I put too much in the bucket the first time, in the photo above), which means that although this shampoo is at the more expensive end of the market (£23.50 for 500ml), it doesn’t represent bad value for money as a bottle should last a long time.

Having wetted Alfie, I used a LeMieux Hippo Scrubber (a sort of combined sponge and curry comb) to apply the diluted shampoo. The dirt was coming out of his coat in rivers!

I didn’t use the shampoo on Alfie’s face as we prefer to use baby shampoo near his eyes.

I used the shampoo neat on his mane and again it lathered up really nicely and went on well. Had this been a show wash, I would have gone over the lower half of his legs again with a blob of neat shampoo, but I’m not sure they really needed it – they looked pretty clean after the diluted wash.

Alfie became a little impatient with his beauty routine once I’d finished washing him – and when Alfie is impatient, he makes sure everyone knows about it. So I decided to pop his fly rug on and let him out in his field to finish drying, then catch him again for a final “after” photo once he was dry.

Unfortunately I forgot one of the fundamental truths of grey horses – that they will always roll straight after a bath – and he chucked himself in the dust as soon as I freed him, so there is no final dry “after” photo. Sorry, readers…

Verdict

I really liked this shampoo – diluting a shampoo is my preferred way of bathing a horse and that tied in with the instructions for this one. I loved how much lather was created from a small amount of shampoo and Alfie’s coat looked and felt clean afterwards. It’s not cheap, but you don’t need a great deal so a bottle should last a good while.

Who tested this shampoo?

Pippa Roome is Horse & Hound’s magazine editor and eventing editor. She has worked for the brand since 2003. Pippa shares a Connemara, Alfie, with her mother and takes part in grassroots eventing, while Alfie also does dressage with her mother. Alfie lives out full-time, with access to a stable which he can go in or not as he chooses.

Find out more about how Horse & Hound tests products

You might also be interested in:

19 shampoos that will get your horse whiter than white

Veredus Blue Snow Shampoo review

£21

19 shampoos that will get your horse sparkling – because he’s worth it!

14 dry shampoos and stain removers that will leave your horse gleaming

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Hy Magic Sparkle shampoo

I haven’t used Hy shampoos before so was interested to see how they fared, especially on a horse who had yet to be bathed this summer.

My bay mare Squirrel may not show the stains but she’s a big fan of lying in as much poo overnight as possible, and her mane was very scurfy and greasy at the roots.

I used the shampoo on a hot day after she’d been ridden so she was sweaty. I hoped to improve her coat, mane and tail, which were all showing how long it was since she’d had a full bath, and this product says it has a “fusion of pro vitamin B5 to help internally strengthen the hair and repair damage, with added wheat germ extracts for a super smooth finish”.

I wet Squirrel all over, then applied the shampoo directly; the press-flip lid making it easier to control the amount used. I found it did take quite a bit of shampoo to lather her up but it didn’t take long to rinse it clean. The shampoo smelt nice and floral, not chemical or overpowering.

The brown colour of the water coming off showed how much grime the shampoo had removed, and I was really impressed with the results once Squirrel was dry. Her coat looked good and felt soft, all the grime had gone from her mane, and both her tail and mane were soft and silky.

This shampoo seems good value for money; I didn’t use a huge amount at all so it would do a good few washes, and at £9.50, it’s cheaper than many others on the market. The only thing to mention is that its beautiful pale pink colour faded in the sunlight after being left outside for one day, hence the white colour of the main picture…

Verdict

H&H Approved – A good-value, well-performing shampoo.

In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk, rideawaystore.com or equus.co.uk

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Shapley’s EquiTone Whitening Shampoo *H&H Approved*

£21.99

11 gentle shampoos and washes for horses with sensitive skin

Veredus Blue Snow Shampoo review

£21

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Supreme Products blue shampoo review

Supreme Products have garnered a superb reputation within the horse world, especially within the discipline of showing, as being market leaders in horse turnout products, so I had high expectations when testing the Supreme Products blue shampoo on my grey Connemara, Yogi.

Yogi lives inside overnight so stable stains are commonplace, and during show season he’s bathed once per week on average in an attempt to remove them.

The first thing I noticed about this particular whitening shampoo is how deep the blue colouring was. Even when it pours from the bottle the colour remains strikingly blue, which was a good indicator of how it would tackle stubborn stable stains.

The directions on the bottle state: “Add the blue shampoo to a bucket of warm water, drench a mitt or sponge in the water and work into a lather on the coat. Brush the later through the coat and into the skin allowing to soak before rinsing.”

I initially wet the coat and drenched the tail with warm water and a sponge before adding a generous amount of shampoo to a separate bucket of warm water. The shampoo didn’t lather particularly well at first, but after a swirl around the bucket with a hose it soon produced a decent amount of soap.

Yogi’s most stained area was his hind leg. I began by taking the solution from the bucket and applying it to his leg with a sponge. More shampoo was needed, so I poured some from the bottle directly onto the sponge and the liquid quickly foamed and got rid of the surface muck on his leg. I left the shampoo on his leg, and on his knees where he also has stubborn stains, to soak in while I worked on other parts of his body. Impressively, when I began to rinse the shampoo from his legs and knees about five minutes later the stains had faded considerably. It’s probably one of the most effective stain-removing shampoos I’ve used on these areas. There was the smallest shade of yellow left, which with further washes will probably reduce even more.

The shampoo was perfect for giving the rest of his body a quick once over. Any surface stains on his neck and belly were gone within one wipe of the shampooed sponge.

It also worked particularly well on his tail; I opted to dip his tail in a bucket of shampoo and water so it lathered.

It rinsed off easily and left a healthy shine on his coat.

The smell was fairly neutral, which is always preferred as overly fragranced shampoos, unless they are natural, can be a sign of harsh chemicals.

I used about ¼ of a bottle of shampoo on this wash, which wasn’t as thorough as a pre-show bath, but served a purpose of removing any stains he’d picked up during the week.

The price of this shampoo is £11.40 for 500ml, which is great value, as I will probably get between four and six washes out of it.

Verdict

A high quality shampoo from a reputable brand ideal for grey horses with stubborn stains, though you do need to use a good amount to get the results.

Who tested this shampoo?

Alex Robinson joined H&H in January 2018 as showing editor and features assistant. She graduated from University of Leeds in 2016 and has freelanced for specialist equestrian magazines, including The Native Pony Magazine and has contributed to the National Pony Society annual journal for the past few years.

Born and raised in the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the show scene. She has qualified and competed ponies at the Royal International, Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and Olympia and has extensive knowledge of current issues in the showing world and the horses, ponies and riders who compete. She has a rare insight into the sector that comes with riding amongst the best at top level. She has produced a variety of rides to the highest level and has a passion for bringing on youngsters through the ranks. She has several ponies, mainly natives of all types, on the yard and rides most days each week before work.

At H&H Alex is responsible for the all aspects of showing coverage and is continuing to cement its place as the leading publication for both reports and current showing news. When not writing, she will be found competing her own ponies on the county show circuit.

Find out more about how Horse & Hound tests products

You might also like:

19 shampoos that will get your horse whiter than white

19 shampoos that will get your horse sparkling – because he’s worth it!

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits. 

Veredus Blue Snow Shampoo

It is a truth universally acknowledged that grey horses like to spend a lot of time vexing their owners by getting dirty… but it’s also a truth universally acknowledged in our household that my mother is extremely pony proud. Alfie is therefore one of the cleaner grey horses around – as well as fairly frequent full baths, he is subjected to almost daily “cheat cleanings”, using the sort of magic shampoos that don’t need much or any water.

He didn’t have any stains as such on the day I bathed him with the Blue Snow Shampoo, but he was generally a bit grubby and I had just ridden him, so he had sweaty patches around his girth.

The shampoo is purple, smells pleasant and comes in a flip-top bottle (which is easy to open with one hand) with a small hole – a good thing as it’s extremely runny. It pours out of the hole with no squeezing necessary and it would be easy to end up spilling or wasting it if you’re not careful and I did end up with some running down the side of the bottle.

The instructions say to wet the coat, distribute the shampoo evenly and rub in, then leave to act and rinse thoroughly. I would usually dilute a shampoo and – having wetted the coat – scrub away with the diluted stuff, but I wanted to follow the instructions, so I wetted Alfie with a hose and then started putting the shampoo on.

Initially I was pouring the shampoo on, but I felt I was using a lot, plus this didn’t work so well when I wanted to get it on Alfie’s vertical surfaces and underside. I therefore moved on to putting a blob on the LeMieux Hippo Scrubber – a sort of combined rubber curry comb and sponge (yes, any pony washing product is considered a good present in the triangle of my mother, my husband and I) – and then rubbing it in with that. This seemed to work well.

The shampoo didn’t really lather up much on Alfie’s body, but I did work up a good lather on his tail, for which I poured the shampoo directly onto it. I went over his legs and mane twice as they were the grubbier areas.

The shampoo washed out easily using a pressured hose gun.

I didn’t use the shampoo on Alfie’s face as we always use baby shampoo for this in case it goes in his eyes (please don’t write in and tell me he’s spoilt, I know this already).

The instructions on the Blue Snow Shampoo said the use of gloves is recommended and the bottle came with one glove, which I started off using. However, there was soon shampoo on my other hand and water inside the glove and it was all a bit too tricky with taking photos as well, so I soon ditched the glove. It’s not for me to recommend ignoring safety directions, but I suffered no ill effects.

I was pleased with Alfie’s overall cleanliness and the feel of his coat, mane and tail after the bath.

I was concerned that using the undiluted shampoo would mean I used a lot of it. When I took the top off the bottle to check afterwards, I had used no more than a quarter of the bottle, perhaps less as I’m not sure how full it was initially.

At £21 for 500ml, this shampoo is at the pricier end of whitening shampoos and I think next time, in order to try to use less, I would try diluting some in water and scrubbing with that on Alfie’s body, then using it undiluted on legs, mane and tail.

Verdict

A good shampoo, which did its job and left me with a clean horse. It is at the more expensive end of the market and I would like to try experimenting with different techniques to see if it also works well diluted in order to use less.

View now at amazon.co.uk or viovet.co.uk

Who tested this shampoo?

Pippa Roome is Horse & Hound’s magazine editor and eventing editor. She has worked for the brand since 2003. Pippa shares a Connemara, Alfie, with her mother and takes part in grassroots eventing, while Alfie also does dressage with her mother. Alfie lives out full-time, with access to a stable which he can go in or not as he chooses.

Find out more about how Horse & Hound tests products

You might also be interested in:

19 shampoos that will get your horse whiter than white

19 shampoos that will get your horse sparkling – because he’s worth it!

14 dry shampoos and stain removers that will leave your horse gleaming

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Here is our complete how-to guide on cleaning horses’ hooves, an essential part of daily care. To many, the process will be second nature, but for those less familiar, we hope you will find our tips and advice useful.

How do I clean my horse’s hooves?

The process of removing dirt and debris from the inside of your horse’s hooves is called “picking out” the feet. A hoof pick is used for this purpose. Some of the best hoof picks have a small stiff brush attached, which can be used to brush away loose dust and dirt after the majority of the mud or dirt has been removed.

1. Start by facing your horse’s tail.

2. Run your hand nearest the horse down the back of the leg, and gently squeeze just above the fetlock to signal to the horse to lift the hoof. If the horse doesn’t respond, try adding a little extra pressure from your thumbnail.

3. Holding the hoof with the hand closest to the horse, use a hoof pick in the other hand to start scraping away any dirt. If it is a hind foot, make sure your arm is positioned in front of the leg, so if the horse kicks out backwards your arm will not be in danger. For a front foot your arm should be behind the leg.

4. Start where the horse shoe ends, beside the bulbs of the heel and scrape any debris out, moving your hoof pick away from you towards the toe of the hoof.

5. Scrape firmly over the sole and along the inside of hoof wall and shoe line until all remaining dirt, rocks and debris are gone.

6. Take care when removing dirt from the triangular frog, including the central cleft. The frog is a shofter tissue than the sole and it should be firm without any discharge.

7. Check there are no foreign bodies penetrating either the frog or the sole of the hoof. If there is a nail or similar in the hoof, do not pull it out – this is a potential emergency situation so call your vet immediately as it may be necessary to X-ray the hoof with the object in place to see whether any internal structures have been damaged.

8. If the horse is shod, check the shoe is secure and there are no risen clenches, or loose or missing nails.

9. Once you are done, gently replace your horse’s foot onto the ground.

10. Move onto the next leg and hoof, and repeat this process.

Cleaning horses’ hooves that are muddy

If you need to clean mud from the outside of your horse’s hooves, tie him up in a secure place and begin by using a stiff brush to remove the dirt from the hoof wall. If the dirt needs softening, then warm water is more pleasant, effective and less time-consuming than using cold water, especially in the cooler months. Make sure that you are aware of your horse at all times and do not kneel on the floor while you are cleaning the hooves or place your hand on the floor — squatting will allow you to move quickly out of your horse’s way if they decide to move. If the hooves are wet, allow them to dry naturally, or you could wipe them with a towel, before applying a hoof conditioner to help prevent the hooves drying and cracking. Repeated wetting and drying of the hooves should be avoided as this can compromise their condition.

How often should horse’s hooves be cleaned?

Cleaning horses hooves should be a part of equine daily care so should happen at least once a day. In most professional stable yards, horses have their hooves picked out before leaving their stables to avoid dragging muck and bedding on to the yard. Horses that are turned out daily should also have their hooves picked out after turnout to remove any stones or mud that has been collected while in the field. Horse living out all the time should have their hooves cleaned and checked at least once a day as part of their regular health checks.

Products to help keep your horse’s hooves in good condition

There is a wide range of hoof conditioning products on the market, as well as hoof supplements that can be fed to help support healthy hoof growth. If you’re trying to improve the condition of your horse’s hooves, it’s wise to consult your farrier or vet as some applications may be more of a hindrance than help. However, when the hooves’ natural wet/dry cycle is interrupted by typical British weather, using the right hoof oil or conditioner can help to maintain the natural moisture balance.

What role does the farrier play in cleaning horses’ hooves?

Along with a clean environment, a healthy diet and the regular attention of a farrier ​contributes greatly to hoof health. Get in touch with a fully qualified farrier, who will be able to offer advice on how regularly your horse or pony requires his attention – typically this will be around every five to six weeks. Your farrier will appreciate it if your horse is presented with clean, dry legs and hooves when he attends and he will be able to tell whether you are frequently cleaning and caring for your horse’s hooves or not.

My horse’s hooves smell bad, what should I do?

Manure and soil left in the hoof can create a damp, dirty environment that makes an ideal place for thrush to start. Thrush has an unpleasant and recognisable smell, typically combined with a soft ragged frog and black discharge on the sole of the hoof. Cleaning your horses’ hooves daily may help prevent thrush from starting. If thrush does set in, speak to your vet or farrier for advice on treatment while frequent cleaning of the hooves can help prevent it from getting worse. Any thrush remedy you are using should be applied to clean, dry hooves to be most effective.

You may also be interested in…

6 common hoof problems to keep an eye out for

How to poultice a horse’s hoof: your essential guide

Dr Stuart Thorne MRCVS, of Fellowes Farm Equine Clinic, gives useful tips to make poulticing easy

Put your best foot forward – and make it shine with one of these great hoof oils

No foot, no horse – hoof supplements to help maintain healthy hooves

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Most of us are adept at giving our horses a quick brush to ensure they are clean enough to ride, but knowing how to groom a horse so it gleams is another matter. From bringing your horse in from the field covered in mud, to polishing him up so he’s ready to sparkle at a show, here’s how to do the job properly.

Grooming isn’t just about cleaning the horse, it’s a vital routine to check on his welfare, whether he has any skin irritations, and a chance to check over lumps and bumps, any heat or injuries. If you do this on a regular basis, you will know what’s normal for your horse and whether anything new has cropped up.

How to groom from top to toe

Let’s start with bringing in a muddy horse in from his field. Yours may already be in the stable, and not caked in mud, in which case you can spare a bit of the elbow grease.

Life is easier from a grooming point of view if your horse is rugged – always rug according to the season. Equally an unclipped, fluffy horse is prone to getting wetter and muddier than the clipped horse, so if you have a hairy, rugless horse, your grooming will have to start at square one.

Gather your grooming kit. Ideally you will have one grooming kit per horse, for hygiene reasons. This will prevent skin conditions passing from one horse to another.

Hooves

Start with hosing off muddy hooves – this is a good moment to check the shoes (if worn) are all still on, have not slipped and are not over-worn. Next, pick out the hooves. Feel down the leg, making sure there are no lumps, bumps or heat – this should also encourage the horse to pick up his hoof. It’s easiest to use your arm nearest the leg to pick it up and the other hand to pick out the hooves. Use a hoof pick, avoiding the soft V-shaped frog, to scrape the mud and any stones off the sole, flicking through the grooves from the heels of the hooves away from you.

A small bucket is handy to collect the debris rather than leaving it round the yard. Some hoof picks have a small stiff brush on the top, which you can use to get rid of stubborn mud. You can use a larger stiff brush for this, as some people find the one on the top of the hoof pick too small.

You may want to apply hoof oil on a regular basis to maintain the superficial condition and appearance of the hooves, but consult your farrier if you suspect any serious issues.

Legs

Curry combs do the heavy work in the grooming process, shifting the thick mud. They come in various guises. A plastic currycomb with lots of bristles is useful for getting rid of dried mud, and should be used in the same direction as the hair lies. Although this is a reasonably soft brush, start gently as you assess how your horse tolerates it.

Mud is much easier to brush off when it is dry, so if the horse comes in from the field wet, either let him dry off or wash off the mud with a sponge.

Body

Moving away from the legs, use a rubber curry comb or grooming glove in circular motions from the top of the neck working down towards the quarters. This follows the direction the coat tends to grow and also ensures you have a system for brushing the whole horse. This curry comb should have lots of small pimples and the circular action will lift the dirt, mud, dried sweat, loose hair and grease to the top of the coat. Start gently, making sure that your horse is comfortable, assessing as you go. There will be some areas that your horse is more ticklish or sensitive than others.

Now take the dandy brush. This is made of long plastic bristles and is designed to flick off the dirt that you have just brought to the surface of the coat. It is best used on horses that live out, while you would use a softer body brush on a stabled horse. Body brushes remove grease and oils as well as the dirt, so it’s not advised on horses that are turned out in winter as this grease gives them natural protection from the elements.

Use the dandy brush in conjunction with a metal curry comb, which is used to scrape all the dirt, mud and hair that you are cleaning off the horse’s body from the dandy brush. Take special care with the saddle and girth area to prevent any rubbing underneath the tack.

Wipe the whole body with a stable rubber to lift any remaining dirt or dust.

Head

Back to the front of the horse, use a small face brush or a soft body brush for the head. A horse’s face is sensitive and has many indentations, and the softer brush will allow you to clean all the bony nooks and crannies gently. Undo a latch on the headcollar so you can slide the bits round and make sure you don’t miss any parts which may rub under the tack. Take care to slide the head piece back and brush any mud off from around his ears, because that is where the bridle will lie. Many horses are headshy or wary of having their face and ears brushed, so go carefully and gain his confidence.

Mane and tail

Use a mane comb to brush out any knots and tangles. With the tail, stand to one side of the horse and pull the tail round just in case they don’t enjoy the experience and especially if you don’t know the horse well. Start at the bottom of the tail and work up, getting rid of the knots as you go.

For those horses that have thin or chewed tails, brush them more sparingly. A mane and tail detangler is a great everyday aid to make sure you can brush through the coarser hair easily. Try to get rid of the mud first however, or it ends up being a sticky, muddy mess. And if you’re planning to plait imminently, the detangler can make the hair slippery, so save that for after the plaits are done.

For many owners, your horse has enjoyed a thorough groom, and is now ready to ride – but if you own a grey or coloured horses, you may have more work to do to shift more stubborn stains from the white coat.

Speed grooming

Many of us do not have the time to groom our horse thoroughly every single day. However, there are a few tips and shortcuts to enable you to take care of the most important parts so that you can give your horse a daily once-over and a sufficient clean for a ride squeezed in before work – leaving the longer groom for weekends. This can be completed in under five minutes.

Never skip the overall visual check – for any cuts, bumps and loose shoes. As you pick out the hooves, check for any heat or new lumps on the legs.

Apply mane and tail detangler before you start brushing, and then by the time you’ve finished brushing the body, the detangler will have done its job, making the mane and tail a breeze. You can even leave this working until after your ride – a few shavings in the tail aren’t going to cause him any harm if you can cope with the appearance.

Prioritise brushing the areas that will be covered by tack, using a rubber curry comb to left up dirt or mud patches and brushing out with a dandy or body brush depending on your horse’s coat condition. Wipe over with a stable rubber to remove the last bits of dust and dirt.

And for a bit of a time-saver? Put a rug on your horse. Even a light rain sheet will protect his coat from the worst of the dirt. Make sure you pick a rug appropriate to the temperature and your horse’s condition, and this will save you valuable time brushing out muddy saddle patches.

How to groom for a show

You have groomed your horse as above, but now you want to make him shine. As long as you know you can dry your horse off without him getting chilled – depending on the weather or whether you have heat lamps, wicking cooler rugs and so on – a bath is a great idea. Groom your horse first to get rid of the worst of the dirt, then wash him with shampoo and water.

Make sure your brushes are clean – using dirty brushes on a clean horse will simply replace all the scurf and dirt you’ve worked hard to remove.

How to hot-cloth

• If you do not want to wash your horse, one traditional method favoured by competition riders is hot clothing, which enhances the coat’s appearance and helps lift any remaining dirt or grime. It also helps moisturise the horse’s skin, and as such is great for clipped horses to add shine. It is also an excellent technique for a last-minute finish.
• You’ll need two buckets half-full of warm water, a hot oil, such as Supreme Products Hot Oil, a microfibre cloth or grooming mitt and stable rubber or small towel, plus a sweat scraper.
• Thoroughly groom the horse first.
• Add four squirts of oil to one of the buckets of warm water, drench the microfibre cloth or mitt in the mix and work into the horse’s coat.
• Drench the stable rubber or towel into the other bucket of clean water, wring out excess and rinse the coat.
• Use a sweat scraper to remove excess water from the coat and put on a wicking rug as appropriate.

If you are plaiting, apply mane and tail shine or detangling products afterwards, so that they are not too slippery to handle.

There are also coat shine products available for the finishing touch.

Finally, apply a hoof oil designed for shine, such as Supreme Products Hoof Paint, for your horse to put his best foot forward in the ring.

You may also be interested to read…

How to pull a horse’s mane: your complete guide

How to remove stable stains and keep a grey horse clean

Back to basics: cleaning horses’ hooves — a complete how-to guide

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits. 

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

It may not be as regular an occurrence as washing our own hair, but knowing how to bath a horse properly is a useful skill. An essential one, too, if you want him looking his gleaming best on the competition circuit. It’s also a handy time to examine your horse for any health conditions that may escape your attention during regular grooming.

Most horses don’t need regular bathing to keep their skin and coat healthy, so long as they are groomed well, with sweat rinsed off thoroughly and loose hair brushed out. In fact, over-shampooing, without sufficient rinsing, can cause dry skin and other related conditions. But a thorough bath is useful for show days, and when you really want to shift some of that dirt and show your horse off.

Ideally, wash your horse on a warm day and ensure you can dry them off sufficiently afterwards, whether it’s by walking them in the sun, with heat lamps or towel-drying. If you’re likely to be bathing throughout the winter, it might be worth investing in one of the best portable hot showers for horses.

How to bath a horse: step by step

First of all, gather your equipment: a rubber currycomb, sweat scraper, grooming brush, shampoo designed for horses, mane/tail detangler and conditioner, bucket of water, sponge, towel and hose.

Give your horse a thorough grooming before bathing to remove excess dirt and hair. You may want to give your horse a haynet to keep him occupied.

Start slowly – most horses are familiar with the hosepipe, but it should be introduced gradually from the hooves upwards. If this is the first time the horse has been bathed, it may be wise to do so without shampoo for the first time. This will make the experience shorter and will ensure you don’t leave irritating soap suds in if you have to stop halfway through the job.

Wet the horse thoroughly before applying shampoo as it is easier to use a soapy sponge on a wet coat. Add shampoo to the bucket of water as per the instructions on the bottle, then dip the sponge in the soapy water and rub it all over the horse’s coat using a circular motion.

A good way to make sure you cover the whole horse is to break it up into sections, such as legs, neck, body and quarters. Take extra care around the genitals and dock, using gentle strokes to wash these sensitive areas. Some owners prefer to rinse after each section is shampooed to prevent the soap from drying out the skin and coat, but many will work quickly and shampoo the whole body in one go, before rinsing.

This should be sufficient for most horses, but for greys and coloureds, extra help may be required to make their white coats dazzle.

Mane and tail washing

Wash the mane as you would the rest of the body, wetting it first and then applying shampoo with a sponge. If it is knotted, use detangler.

Leave the tail until last as you can use the remaining soapy water. Immerse the bottom of the tail in the bucket of soapy water, and swirl it around, using the sponge to wash the hair on the dock. Again, a detangler should sort out any knots and enable you to brush through it smoothly. You can also use a mane and tail conditioner on both to make them silky smooth.

Take care bathing the head

Most horses do not enjoy water pouring down the face, let alone the hose being sprayed near it – although there are always exceptions! Many owners avoid using any shampoo on the face, but this is up to personal opinion. Take care soapy water does not go in the eyes and any soap residue is completely rinsed off. For more sensitive horses, a thorough wipe with a wet towel should be sufficient.

Be careful not to get water in the horse’s ears. When you are washing the forelock, tug it backwards towards the mane, so that water doesn’t splash into the horse’s pricked ears.

Drying off

After the shampooing, rinse the horse thoroughly, ideally using a hose on a gentle stream. If he will not take the hose, you will need several buckets of clean water and clean sponges to get rid of all the soap residue. Then, use the sweat scraper to remove all the excess water in the direction of the hair growth.

The clean and rinsed horse should be thoroughly dried, ideally in the sunshine. You can also rub them dry with a towel, walk them around or stand them under heat lamps if you have them. If it is cool, put a cooler rug on to help speed up the drying time.

And be warned – nearly every horse enjoys a good roll even more than usual after a bath, so make sure you’ve poo picked and he is as dry as possible before leaving him, or you’ll be back to square one.

You might also be interested in:

Spa time: best portable hot showers for year-round bathing

19 shampoos that will get your horse sparkling – because he’s worth it!

14 dry shampoos and stain removers that will leave your horse gleaming

How to remove stable stains and keep a grey horse clean

The best detanglers to keep manes and tails knot-free and looking lustrous

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits. 

Hands up who’s had one of these – usually the night before a big, important event…

1. Try as you might, you just can’t get the end of that tail to look square. By the time you’ve finally put the scissors down, you realise to your horror that the tail is well above your horse’s hocks and still looks like it’s been trimmed by Freddie Krueger’s slightly less balanced younger brother.

2. You flatten down your pony’s unruly mane with lots and lots and lots of grooming spray. In fact, you don’t realise how much you’ve used until you put the saddle on and it shoots backwards like your numnah is made of banana skins.

3. With a 4am start looming, you decide to take a chance and plait your horse’s mane the night before, taking the precaution of protecting the plaits with an old stocking. In the morning, you find a smug horse with lots of bald patches wearing the stocking round one leg like a low-rent Marilyn Monroe.

4. You’ve bathed your grey pony. You’ve wrapped him overnight in rugs, hoods and practically covered him in clingfilm and bubble wrap for travelling. You’ve unwrapped him at the last minute, and had a friend standing by with a bottle of stain remover as you go into the ring. As you’re waiting to do your individual show, you glance down to see a massive poo stain down your horse’s shoulder. The only explanation is aliens.

Continues below…

8 genius grooming solutions — from biodegradable wet wipes to a car wash mitt

With the competition season approaching, check out riders’ top turnout tricks and the unusual products they swear by

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

5. You’re halfway through clipping your cob’s feathers when the clippers cough once ominously and die. Despite frantic attempts (nurse, pass me a screwdriver!), they won’t start up again. You spend the next 12 hours squatting on the ground with a pair of scissors and a comb, with friends bringing you cups of tea in relays.

6. You were in a hurry in the shop and grabbed a tin of what you thought was hoof oil off the shelf without looking at it properly. Now, you can see the label says, ‘Make a statement with this pink, glittery varnish!’ You’re not sure the judge in the ridden hunter class will see the joke.

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

What is the secret to mastering the perfect tail plait? Nimble fingers, a flair for detail, plenty of practice — and a horse who stands stock-still, certainly helps.

When we asked H&H readers for their tips on creating immaculate plaits and braid, we were blown away by the eye-catching creations that were sent in. You really are a talented bunch!

To celebrate the art of the perfect tail plait — and to enjoy some extraordinary masterpieces — here are 18 showstoppers. Prepare to be amazed.

1. At the annual Pony of the Year Show, Natalie Triggs wove ribbons in to this pony’s tail — in the show’s trademark colours no less — before the style and performance class.

2. Helen Reader and her Irish Sport Horse Tinahely Rocket certainly stood out at their Riding Club area dressage competition with this immaculate tail plait. Her top tip? “Be taught well and practice often. The route to perfection is years of Wokingham Pony Club rallies and camp from the age of five.”

3. “Practice, practice and more practice” says Amy Smyth, who shows Connemaras and competes in showjumping and eventing.

4. Catching the eye at this year’s Royal Highland Show was Sarah Johnston’s coloured non-native home-bred yearling Nelson’s Centurion (“Zack”) — his perfect plait was executed by her “best friend and supergroom” Jenni Cammidge. They were thrilled to finish second!

5. The Border Counties Draghounds’ horses must be some of the best turned out in the country if this spectacular creation on huntsman Darren Foxley’s horse is anything to go by.

6. What an accomplishment! Elizabeth Greenfield explains how to create this stunning tail braid — the correct style for Comtois draught horses: “The plait starts off as a French plait, incorporating raffia/bass. You continue to the end of the dock then plait down approximately six inches and tie off. Then form a loop with the plaited part. Divide the rest of the tail into three and plait to the end, but four inches from the end add a ribbon or bootlace in the plait and tie off with the ribbon/bootlace. Take the end of the plait and thread it through the loop at the base of the dock to form a bun then discreetly tie off the ribbon/bootlace and decorate with a ribbon. The flowers are my own personal twist.”

7. It seems a shame to have hidden this impressive creation from Hannah Underhill, but it was done for a Riding Club quadrille when the tail needed to be tucked away under the costume.

8. This two-tone work of art comes from Zara-Leoni Ford, who had entered her 20-year-old Hanoverian for a Veteran Horse Society showing class.

9. “Wet tails before plaiting and for each piece you add in, take as little as possible. Put on hair spray and a damp tail bandage as soon as you’ve finished,” says Sophie Woodyatt, who does a brilliant job plaiting hunters.

10. Mel Jolly has certainly perfected the art of tail-plaiting — full marks for this monochrome masterpiece.

11. For something a little out-of-the-ordinary, we are loving Caitlin Padgett’s spiralling effect braid — “It’s pretty simple, just a running plait collecting from the tail as you go and spiral down,” she says.

12. Thanks to Claire Turner for sending in this gem of a plait on Victoria Turner’s horse Rubiks Cube — shortly before she had to pull the tail for showing classes.

13. Hats off to Sacha Butlin — this beautifully neat plait must surely be the template for us all to aim for.

14. “Keep the plait tight and don’t use too much hair” says Megan Hay, tail-plaiter extraordinaire.

15. If you’re out with the Carmarthen Hunt, keep a look out for Eleanor Joseph’s exceptional work — 10 out of 10 on this one!

16. We’re not surprised that freelance groom Ireland Pearson won the best turned out prize with this beautiful finish on pointer Upton Centurion. “Practise on the hardest tails and don’t forget baby wipes and baby oil for that shiny finish,” says Ireland, who definitely learnt to plait the hard way — on a “hairy cob’s fat, thick tail”.

Continued below…

6 top tips to help you create plaits you can be proud of

If you want show day mornings to go without a hitch, check out these useful tips to ensure your horse

17. Jess Edwards says “Wet hands and plenty of thread” is all you need for a plait as perfect as this, created for a day’s hunting.

18. And finally… If you need a bit of inspiration prior to Christmas, Rachael Forkings has taken festive fancy dress to the next level. She incorporated bells into her horse Tom’s tail braid — as well as flashing LED lights in his mane, while she (and her Wilberry/Wonkeyberry) dressed up as a side-saddle elf for the Border Counties Draghounds Santa Ride. Great effort all round!

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Giving your horse a good groom every day means you can keep them looking smart while keeping an eye out for any problems. Sara Walker explains what you’ll need to do the job…

Hoofpick

The Houdini of the grooming kit, the hoof pick has the ability to dematerialise at will and reappear somewhere unexpected. You can hang it on your stable door, you can nail it to the wall, you can Velcro it into your pocket – but it’s never there when you want it. An hour later, you’ll give up the search and immediately find it in your feed bucket.

Dandy brush

A brush with stiff bristles, carefully designed to remove mud from your horse’s coat and transfer it to you.

Curry combs

These come in metal, plastic and rubber varieties. Metal and plastic are for cleaning the hair out of brushes, while rubber is for removing quantities of winter coat. They’re called ‘curry combs’ because after you’ve been using one for half an hour you really fancy a takeaway.*

Mane and tail comb

Plastic or metal combs used for pulling and tidying manes and tails. As far as actual combing is concerned, they only really work on slender thoroughbred types with aristocratic manes. Try one on a cob’s mane and you’ll be looking for it for weeks.

Sponge

Used for cleaning around the eyes, nostrils and dock areas. It’s best to buy them in batches of 10, especially if you have any small terriers on the yard.

Body brush

Used for removing excess grease from stabled horses, and adding a nice shine to the coat. It’s called a ‘body brush’ because using one for 20 minutes a day gives you a figure like Elle MacPherson.**

Sweat scraper

This delightfully-named piece of equipment is used to remove excess moisture from the horse’s coat, for example after a bath. Sweat scrapers are also great escapologists and can give hoofpicks a run for their money in terms of never being where you left them.

* OK, this isn’t exactly (or even slightly) true – ‘currying’ is an old English word meaning grooming. We prefer our explanation though.

** This one’s definitely true.

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For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Welcome to our group test of mane and tail detanglers. All of the sprays in this group test have been thoroughly tested by busy yard owner and hunting enthusiast Harriet Rimmer. Find out what she thought below.

Official description: Cavalor Star Shine

Cavalor Star Shine is a long-lasting hair conditioner with a unique and pleasant aroma. It gives a brightening gleam to your horse’s coat and makes it appear as a real “star” on the show circuit. The horse’s tail and mane can be expected to remain tangle-free for a week after application.

First impressions

I liked the simplicity of the packaging and the bottle looks like a handy size to use post-wash as a coat shine and detangler. I was fairly surprised when I saw the price tag though.

Overview of performance

I was really impressed by this fantastic product. This is definitely best in this group test. It does exactly what it says on the bottle. It detangles, softens and has a long-lasting effect. The shine it adds to the horse’s coat is second to none. It is a superior product compared to anything I’ve ever used before. Very, very impressed.

Likes and dislikes

I don’t just like this product, I love everything about it and I cannot fault it. I wish I had more of it. It is more expensive than the others on test, but it’s worth every penny.

Verdict

A fantastic product that detangles, softens and has a long-lasting effect. Worth every penny.

You might also like:

The best detanglers to keep manes and tails knot-free and looking lustrous

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Welcome to our group test of mane and tail detanglers. All of the sprays in this group test have been thoroughly tested by busy yard owner and hunting enthusiast Harriet Rimmer. Find out what she thought below.

Official description

Equimins Detangler Ultra Silky Spray is a specialist product developed for detangling manes and tails. Simply spray onto the mane and tail and comb out. This lotion will leave a lasting sheen from one application. Shake before use. This product is non-greasy so will not attract any dust.

View at viovet.co.uk

First impressions

This product looked like it would definitely do the job of detangling manes and tails and providing a gloss to the horse’s coat.

Overview of performance

This product detangles manes and tails very effectively, without making them greasy or giving a matte appearance. It also repels dirt, which makes washing off much easier after a muddy day – an excellent time saver that we all appreciate! Tails are left untangled for a few days and you can wash off anything which has stained their tails without using shampoo, just rinsing with water. It leaves a lovely feel on the horse’s coat if you spray it all over.

Likes and dislikes

I really like how practical and useful this spray is. It is a good all-rounder and does exactly what it says on the bottle.

Verdict

I would definitely recommend this spray as it’s a very versatile, affordable and long-lasting.

Welcome to our group test of mane and tail detanglers. All of the sprays in this group test have been thoroughly tested by busy yard owner and hunting enthusiast Harriet Rimmer. Find out what she thought below.

Official description: Nettex Mane & Tail Detangler

Nettex Mane & Tail Detangler is a premium quality formulation that seals and coats the hair, preventing knots and reducing grooming time. It is very economical as a little goes a long way.

First impressions

The product looks like it will be of good quality with a handy bottle as well as being affordable and easy to use. I like the idea of not needing to use much as it’s very easy to overuse products unnecessarily.

Overview of performance

Very easy to apply and instantly starts working on detangling. You really don’t need to use much of this product – less is more – although if you do end up overdoing it by accident, it doesn’t leave a greasy feeling. It leaves a lovely feel and shine when used on the horse’s coat.

Likes and dislikes

I like the effectiveness of the product, affordability and the feel it leaves. A very useful all-round product, which offers good value for money. I would definitely recommend it to a friend.

Verdict

A very useful all-round product that offers good value for money.

You might also like:

The best detanglers to keep manes and tails knot-free and looking lustrous

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Welcome to our group test of mane and tail detanglers. All of the sprays in this group test have been thoroughly tested by busy yard owner and hunting enthusiast Harriet Rimmer. Find out what she thought below.

Official description: Leovet 5 Star Detangler

The Leovet 5 Star Detangler contains arginine – the essential hair nutrient – for better hair growth. This product provides sensational star shine, easy combing of mane and tail, and protection from dust and dirt for many days. It contains provitamin B5, panthenol, for healthy, nourished hair with lots of volume.

First impressions

The product looks very professional and I was quite intrigued to see how it would compete with the others on test.

Overview of performance

When I first sprayed this product onto a horse’s tail, I loved the smell but didn’t think it detangled very well. But once I left the horse’s tail to dry with the spray on, I couldn’t believe the difference. It does seem to add more of a condition to the hair, rather than a gloss, and I would advise that you left it on for a long as possible before brushing the hair through. This product doesn’t put as much of a gloss on their coats in comparison to the others on test, but it definitely detangles and nourishes the hair effectively.

Likes and dislikes

I really like that this product works as more of a conditioning treatment for the horses’ manes and tails, rather than just a temporary gloss or shine. You can tell the difference in this product from the others as it nourishes the hair and provides more of a long-term treatment, rather than just a “quick fix”. If you wanted to use it as an instant detangler, I would suggest that you left it on until the hair is dry (post washing) and then comb it through. It’s different to the other products in the group test, but once I had learned how to use it properly, it was actually very useful.

Verdict

More of a long term treatment, rather than a quick-fix spray and go.

In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk, rideawaystore.com, naylors.com or equus.co.uk

You might also like:

The best detanglers to keep manes and tails knot-free and looking lustrous

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Welcome to our group test of mane and tail detanglers. All of the sprays in this group test have been thoroughly tested by busy yard owner and hunting enthusiast Harriet Rimmer. Find out what she thought below.

Official description: Smart Grooming Tame the Mane

Smart Grooming Tame the Mane is perfect for taming and conditioning thick natural manes and tails, leaving them easy to manage and tangle free as well as keeping the mud away in challenging conditions. Tame the Mane can also be sprayed onto thick feathers to keep them clean and easily managed. It dries quickly, detangles fast and doesn’t attract dust. It gives definition and holds manes in place, as well as enhancing the natural look of a full mane.

First impressions

I thought this product was aimed at traditional breeds with longer manes and tails than my horses typically have, but I do have one horse on the yard with a particularly coarse mane, so was very interested to see how it would work on him.

Overview of performance

This spray was effective, easy to use and left their tails very easy to brush and detangled for up to two to three days. I also noticed that their manes were left flatter and random hairs which usually sprout up while plaiting, were more manageable and stayed in the plait better!

Likes and dislikes

I do like this product, although it does seem to be aimed at a particular market, rather than as an all-round spray. It is very effective though, especially on the horses whose manes are slightly unruly! I can see it being very useful for horses with feather as it is long-lasting and could prevent the hair tangling up so easily in the mud and wet, although we didn’t have any suitable horses to test that on.

Verdict

A great choice if you have a horse whose mane is slightly unruly!

You might also like:

The best detanglers to keep manes and tails knot-free and looking lustrous

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Welcome to our group test of mane and tail detanglers. All of the sprays in this group test have been thoroughly tested by busy yard owner and hunting enthusiast Harriet Rimmer. Find out what she thought below.

Official description: NAF Silky Mane & Tail D-Tangler

Care for your horse’s mane and tail with NAF Silky Mane & Tail D-Tangler deluxe conditioning spray for a smooth, shiny tangle-free finish. This spray leaves a non-greasy, non-sticky natural shine that will not attract dust and allows mud to be easily brushed from hair.

First impressions

I’ve used NAF products for several years so have good faith that this will be a useful and effective product. It looks like a versatile product to have on the yard. I liked the idea of it being a “deluxe” product, so was intrigued to see how it compared against the others in the group test.

Overview of performance

I was pleased with the performance of this spray. It definitely makes detangling manes and tails easier and leaves a silky feel. It has a very strong lavender smell, which I think would be very beneficial in the summer to help keep the flies at bay! I wouldn’t say it was a “deluxe” conditioning spray; more of a good, effective all-round product, which would be of benefit to any yard.

Likes and dislikes

I like the overall practicality and usefulness of this product. I did, however, find that it could make manes or tails greasy if you over did it on the spray. Less is more with this product, which also helps make the bottle last longer!

Verdict

A good all-round detangler spray that I would recommend.

You might also like:

The best detanglers to keep manes and tails knot-free and looking lustrous

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Welcome to our group test of mane and tail detanglers. All of the sprays in this group test have been thoroughly tested by busy yard owner and hunting enthusiast Harriet Rimmer. Find out what she thought below.

Official description

Showmaster Tail and Mane Silk Deluxe provides luxurious shine and easy combing. Studies show that vegan silk polypeptides offer great protection against irritants and environmental influences, and that argan oil gives the perfect finish. Use sparingly. Thanks to the 360° spray nozzle, it produces a fine cloud that is distributed evenly.

First impressions

This product came in a different style bottle and with slightly complicated instructions. It looks like more of a specialist product to use, but I like the inclusion of argan oil as it may act as a treatment, as well as an instant gloss.

Overview of performance

Having got my head around the unusual bottle and spray method, I loved the instant detangling and silky feeling this product leaves. It is tricky to apply though as you have to keep pulling the trigger for application, you can’t just have a consistent spray. It certainly leaves a very well conditioned and high gloss finish and you can tell that it is more of a premium product, in comparison to some of the others on test. It’s a shame that the bottle lets it down as the product itself is excellent.

Likes and dislikes

I really like the silky, lightweight feeling it leaves in the horses manes and tails – it definitely does its job. But I dislike the spray nozzle as it dictates how long each spray is. When trying to spray into a long tail, you have to keep pulling the trigger on the spray, rather than having a consistent flow. Whether this is to dictate how little or much you should be using, I’m not sure, but I personally prefer being able to judge this myself.

Verdict

This liquid is excellent, but I don't like the spray bottle.

Welcome to our group test of mane and tail detanglers. All of the sprays in this group test have been thoroughly tested by busy yard owner and hunting enthusiast Harriet Rimmer. Find out what she thought below.

Official description: Mastacare Mane and Tail Spray

Mastacare Mane and Tail Spray adds shine and helps to detangle hair making grooming quick and easy; no longer a fight through knotted manes and tails. The product leaves a silky and well-conditioned feel helping to protect the hair from breakage. It is perfect for show preparation or general everyday use.

First impressions

Handy little bottle to use, especially for away shows as it’s neat and compact.

Overview of performance

The product does what it says on the bottle, but it didn’t really stand out to me among the others on test. It detangled tails and provided a gloss like appearance, but not as effectively some of the others we tried.

Likes and dislikes

I like the bottle size and the affordability of the product, which is a basic, all-round spray. Definitely worth considering if you’re on a budget as it’s a slightly cheaper alternative, but the saving is only marginal so it really comes down to whether you want to spend a bit more on a more effective product.

Verdict

Definitely worth considering if you’re on a budget and trying to save your pennies.

You might also like:

The best detanglers to keep manes and tails knot-free and looking lustrous

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That show is coming up, you want your horse immaculately turned out, but do you shave his whiskers? It’s a divisive subject. On one hand, the whiskers — also called vibrissae — arguably serve essential sensory functions, while on the other hand, a horse with no excess hair on his face is deemed aesthetically pleasing.

In 1998, Germany outlawed whisker shaving. Paragraph six of the German Animal Welfare Law prohibits trimming the vibrissae around eyes and muzzle, as well as clipping or cutting the hairs inside the ears. Practically, this means a competitor with a shaved horse can be disqualified from a show.

It remains legal in Britain, although the BHS and many British riders find it troubling.

Gemma Stanford, the BHS Director of Welfare, told H&H: “The purpose of the horse’s whiskers both around the eyes and muzzle provide sensory feedback on the horse’s environment. The length of the whiskers determines the safe distance from unfamiliar objects or substances and enables them to determine unfamiliar characteristics of food or detect small inedible objects providing an environmental map.

“The whiskers present on both upper and lower eyelids provide tactile stimulation and elicit the blink response. Due to the whiskers having a good nerve supply they are even thought to be capable of picking up vibrational energy (sound).”

Rachel Jordan lives in Gloucestershire, competing two horses in showing and dressage. She reflects: “I do think it makes their everyday lives more comfortable to keep [whiskers].”

When she started showing her older horse, she was encouraged to remove her whiskers but refused, explaining: “If a judge wanted to give her a lower placing because she had whiskers, that just reflects poorly on the showing scene in my opinion. It’s only by standing against these old ‘norms’ that you can change them.”

Professional groom Hollie Haynes worked on a thoroughbred preparation yard for 11 years and is now freelance. Her boss used to shave whiskers, because he thought the young thoroughbreds sold for more money, but, she says: “Horses need them for feeling in the dark and sensing how close items are to their muzzle. I have seen horses bang their heads after having them removed because they don’t realise they no longer have them.”

While there’s anecdotal evidence suggesting horses with trimmed vibrissae are more prone to facial injuries, there is no direct scientific proof of how, and to what degree, vibrissae inform horses about their environment.

According to Dutch veterinarian Machteld Van Dierendonck, studies of vibrissae had been conducted on rodents and sea mammals, with the results applied to horses, but none had actually looked at horses. So she ran a pilot study examining the function of equine whiskers and the effect of shaving them. She had no definitive results and speculated that it could be due to a number of factors: a small sample size, methods that didn’t work, or equine whiskers not being as vital as scientists thought.

People who shave whiskers argue they haven’t noticed any adverse effects. Yard manager Laura White says: “I shave of all my horses’ whiskers and have done for over 15 years. I’ve never had a horse that has a problem with it. I shave them off because I think they look smarter without them, but it’s personal preference.”

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It’s not an all-or-nothing thing, either. Jessica Moore, a groom for international showjumpers, remarks: “One of my FEI horses would grow what appeared to be a handlebar moustache if he went much more than a week between trims. I also believe the purpose of the guard hairs on the muzzle aren’t of much use to domestic horses who live in extremely controlled environments like stalls and small to medium paddocks.”

But she doesn’t clip the vibrissae near the eyes, reasoning: “I do believe the guard hairs around the eyes are important and absolutely do help protect horses from the random eye injuries that can happen even in the box.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Horse & Hound spoke to Tracey Freeman, who makes a living cleaning sheaths across the country

How did you get into sheath cleaning?

I had always cleaned my own horses’ sheaths and I just thought everyone did it routinely.

I am based at Gleniffer Stables near Maidenhead in Berkshire, which used to be run by the late Russell Pearson. I was the yard manager for many years and used to clean the 60 horses stabled on the yard.

It all started when a friend asked if I could clean her horse and I told her she could try doing it herself and her reply was “no, I couldn’t do that!”

So I went along and cleaned her horse. She then recommended me to another friend, and people started asking me to come and clean their horses. I discovered a niche in the market that could also make me money.

I set up Sheath Cleaning UK, charging £25 per session, and started a Facebook page, which received a great response and brilliant reviews, and it just went from there. It is now my full-time job and I am doing it six or seven days a week.

What is a ‘bean’?

The ‘bean’ is the common name for a collection of smegma in the tip of the horse’s penis. The tube that the urine passes through is called the urethra and just above the urethra is a pocket of space called the urethral fossa and this is where the build up of dirt and grime happens, which results in hardened ‘beans’. When the beans get so big, they interfere with the horse’s ability to pass urine properly, which can lead to all sorts of infections and kidney problems. Generally, when horses have severe beans, they will be in obvious discomfort.

Why is it important to clean your horse’s sheath?

Every male horse will get beans and a build up of smegma, due to the inevitable build up of grime. Having beans will cause your horse discomfort, a bit like walking with a stone constantly in your shoe.

The signs that your horse needs his sheath cleaned include having problems passing urine and you will visibly see build up of smegma on the outside of the penis. Most horse owners will also be able to feel the beans, although it is harder to remove them.

I have also found a number of melanomas on horses through doing my job, some of which have been able to be treated and sadly some bigger tumours that couldn’t — that is why it is important for owners to be aware of what is going on under there.

Ideally, for horses over the age of four, you should clean the sheath once a year.

What’s the biggest size bean you have seen?

The biggest bean I have removed was bigger than a fifty pence piece (pictured, below) — it was more like the size of a golf ball.

The feedback I get from owners is that their horses are so different in their temperament after having beans removed. They are more comfortable and happier within themselves.

Do you only treat geldings?

I mostly treat geldings, but I have also cleaned a few stallions, and a donkey. Although the stallions end up enjoying it far too much!

I have clients across the disciplines, including ponies, ex-racehorses and showjumpers. I visit Robert Whitaker’s yard to clean his horses and have treated his top horse, Catwalk IV.

How do you deal with tricky horses?

I would say that 99% of horses will start off being difficult but I can guarantee, if a horse has beans, they will stop being tricky pretty soon — it is almost like they are asking you to remove the bean. They are often relieved straight away and visibly more comfortable. Sometimes horses need to be sedated by a vet first but that is rare.

What is the process involved in removing a bean?

There is strictly no scrubbing! You will often hear of owners scrubbing the sheath area with soapy water but this is the worst thing you can do.

It is such a delicate area and you have to be gentle. I use no chemicals or baby oil, because that just attracts grit. I simply use KY Jelly, a water-based lubricant, and vinyl gloves — never latex gloves.

I will often lubricate the sheath first and leave it for a bit while I treat another horse, and then by the time I have come back to it, the beans will have loosened up and they are easier to remove. Owners should not be picking the smegma off either.

I just spend a few minutes massaging the beans out — I always manage to get them out.

How did you get the name ‘The Bean Queen’?

It was after I had been to one yard and treated 16 horses and removed 16 beans. My husband told me I was ‘The Bean Queen’ and then one owner sent me a set of overalls with it written on the back and it just stuck.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I have been cleaning sheaths for 29 years now and it is a job that takes me all over the country — I was in the Isle of Wight recently. Yes, I am up to my arms in muck each day, every day but I love my job. It is so important and I like that I am doing something for the welfare of the horse, I treat each horse like my own. It is fun too and I get to meet lots of new people. In a week, I can be treating up to 100 horses.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Carolyn Henderson investigates the innovative turnout tricks and products loved by riders and grooms across the disciplines

1. Freelance eventing groom Alex Van Tuyll, whose clients include William Fox-Pitt, counts flick brushes with long, soft bristles among her grooming kit must-haves.

“I have flick brushes in two colours — one for the mane and one for the tail,” she says. “This means that if I put detangler spray on the tail, I don’t transfer it to the mane and make it slippery.”

2. Showjumper Emma Hinkley swears by PRO:VOKE’s Touch Of Silver Brightening Shampoo, a purple shampoo formulated for people which she uses on her grade B showjumper, Heritage Silver, and that she buys from her local supermarket.

“Leave it in for five minutes,” she advises “It’s great for manes and tails.”

3. Riding school and livery yard owner Lorna Johnstone nominates hypoallergenic, biodegradable wet wipes as essential.

“They can be used for removing stains and for cleaning around small wounds,” says Lorna, who also uses individual wipes for cleaning noses, eyes and docks, as they don’t irritate and are easy to dispose of.

“They don’t smell strongly, are not scary to horses and don’t freeze or melt,” she adds.

4. Top model Amber Martinez, the face of Scottish Widows, knows more about hair care than most. She uses coconut oil on her own locks and shares it with her horses, too.

“It’s great for conditioning hair and encouraged new hair growth when the base of my mare’s tail was rubbed,” she said. “A little goes a long way.”

5. For dirty ponies, Highland enthusiast Rachael Stewart uses a car wash mitt, which costs £1 from her local supermarket. It has microfibre loops on one side and mesh on the other. The mesh side, says Rachael, is great for removing stains.

6. Dressage rider Emma Penny’s secret weapon is Smart Grooming’s Super Groomer, which is made from recycled polypropylene and moulds to the horse’s contours.

“It’s very basic, but great for removing dried mud — and when you’re bathing a horse,” she says.

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7. “We use a capful of Dettol in a quarter of a bucket of hot water, scrubbed on with a small towel,” says showjumping specialist Shirley Light, of Brendon Stud.

This technique removes grease and the horse also gets a massage.

Event rider and trainer Laura Powell also favours Dettol.

“I use Dettol to hot-cloth after exercise,” she says. “My horses love having their faces done.”

8. Tack cleaning is many riders’ least favourite job.

“If leather is really dirty, then use lukewarm water with a couple of drops of washing-up liquid — and I mean drops — to degrease and remove mud, then rinse in clean water [and allow to dry before applying saddle soap],” says retired international saddler and lecturer Malan Goddard.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

What grooming items do leading showing experts swear by in order to make the horses in their care look their best in the ring? Renowned pony producer Katy Carter and Jo Jack, head groom to Katie Jerram, reveal eight essential items that give their charges the winning edge

Katy Carter and Jo Jack’s grooming kit essentials

1. Oven gloves

Ideal for lifting coats out and, because they are soft, horses will allow you to rub their whole bodies, including their legs, top of the head and around their ears. According to Katy, a clean pair of oven gloves is also useful for a final wipe over.

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2. Baby wipes

Perfect for wiping bits, bridles and faces — as well as oily hands before doing up the girth. Katy swears by them.

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3. Head torch

A must-have for early-morning or late-night plaiting. You might feel silly at first, admits Jo, but it makes a fiddly job far easier when the light is poor.

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4. Dog grooming comb

Brilliant for helping to remove loose hair, says Katy.

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5. Tea towels

Both experts agree that you can never have too many of these to hand. Use a tea towel damp to remove any dust before spraying the horse’s coat, or mane and tail.

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6. Trimmed dandy brushes

Jo says that with the bristles shortened, these are sturdy enough to accurately draw on quarter marks that will last as long as you need them

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7. Half a pair of trimming scissors

Great for pulling tails in a quick, efficient way without upsetting the horse, says Jo.

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8. Good old fashioned elbow grease

OK, this isn’t technically in a grooming kit but, according to Jo, it is the only way to make a coat look its best, so get brushing.

For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Have you ever wondered what life is like for a top rider's groom — the one who keeps everything running smoothly on competition day? H&H followed Francis Whittington's groom Sharon Mepham for the day at Tweseldown to find out... Don't miss the full feature in today's issue of H&H magazine (1 June 2017)

By 7.30am at Tweseldown Racecourse, Francis Whittington’s groom, Sharon, has already been there an hour. Her day started at 2am when she got up and headed to the yard to start the process of feeding, rugging, booting up, and loading four horses onto the lorry. At 4.30am, the horsebox pulled out of the yard

Sharon packs the lorry with all the equipment, water and feed the night before an event, so it’s simply a matter of loading the horses in the morning

Sharon gets to work getting DHI Purple Rain ready for the dressage

“We keep competition bridles, rugs, boots and numnahs on the lorry at all times, so the night before, we just load the horse’s bits and saddles, and top up the water and haylage,” says Sharon

Sharon frequently checks a black book, which has details of the tack each horse wears. “With so many horses and different phases to tack up for, I sometimes forget which bit a horse wears or whether it needs a flash or martingale — they might wear three different bits in a day,” she says

Sharon Mepham (Yard Manager) getting ready to groom for Francis Whittington busy day competing at the Twesldown (2) Horse Trials with 4 novice horses near Fleet in Hampshire in the UK on the 22 May 2017

Sharon has groomed for four-star eventer Francis Whittington for 14 years

“When I have this many horses, I’m usually at the lorry all day getting them ready for the next phase, so I don’t get to see much of the action,” says Sharon. “If I do have time, I’ll pop down and video for the owners on my phone"

With four horses all running in the novice class on the day we spend with Sharon, she has her hands full – there’s only about 25mins between each horse in each section. “It’s a bit like an equine conveyor belt,” she says

Dirty boots and numnahs are put in a laundry basket ready to be washed at home. “I use the laundry basket because it keeps the clean and dirty stuff separate, and it makes it easier transporting it from the lorry to the yard,” says Sharon

The horses often share tack, so Sharon packs up a large laundry bag with boots, bits and numnahs and sets off with the other three horses in tow (with the help of an owner) to the showjumping warm up

Sharon gives Francis a leg up onto DHI Purple Rain

Once the horses get back to the lorry after cross-country, their tack is removed, they are offered a drink, washed off thoroughly, their studs are removed, and a cooling arnica and witch-hazel gel is applied to the tendons on their front legs

Sponges at the ready: Sharon cools off Nimrod II post-cross-country

“I try not to take dirty tack home, so I clean it as we go, unless it’s particularly wet and then I’ll let it dry before conditioning it," says Sharon

“When they get home, they go straight to bed and have a feed,” says Sharon. “In the morning, they’ll be trotted up and have their legs checked, and iced if needed, before being turned out”

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

It's all very well turning our horses out as much as we can, but when show day dawns, we can't help wishing we'd been a bit more insistent on the rug/stable front. But these owners prove that with a bit of elbow grease, transformations can happen... Happy grooming!

Beau

“Not much in the way of mud in any of my pictures, but my horse Beau goes from looking like any old common nag in the field, to a proper, grown-up, shiny beast at competitions with the help of a bit of elbow grease and shine products.” — Tamasine Thompson

Before

After

Ted

“My pony loves sleeping and rolling in the mud. The first picture shows how I found him in the morning, and the second shows him plaited up out jumping with the riding club. I have only owned Ted for nine months but he is already turning into a little showjumping star and we plan to affiliate next season.” — Sarah

Before

After

Sabinas Apache Gold

“This is Sabinas Apache Gold aka Sebastian, my homebred four-year-old part-bred New Forest cross cob. He’s by the late Peveril Peterborough and I think he’s fantastic (but I am biased! ) He attended his first ‘pony party’ last Sunday (21 May) winning the coloured in-hand and getting a fourth in a hunter pony class.

He also hates hose pipes, so getting him clean was a challenge!” — Sam Andree-Parsons

Before

After

Bizzie B

“This is my 21-year-old Bizzie B. She lives out 24/7 and loves to roll! I got her in ready to go and do a side saddle display with the Side Saddle Association area 14 team last year at Hartpury. The coating of mud and dust was pretty impressive but she scrubs up well. Just lots of elbow grease to get the dust out and lots of thread for my plaits!” — Jackie Banks

Before

After

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Corkhills Cello

“This is Corkhills Cello aka Frank. He’s a lovely Welsh Section B gelding. Frank had been turned out all winter and had turned into a wild mud monster. Enough was enough and he needed a good scrub. Under all that grub I discovered a beauty! He’s got the most amazing summer coat now.” — Chloe Phillips Gray

Before

After

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now